The value of Determination – Tionge ‘Didi’ Sambo

The greatest weapon to curb barriers to success is determination. TIONGE SAMBO popularly known as ‘DIDI,’ is a prolific and vibrant upcoming soccer star whose fortunes are indicative of a bright dawn. She is a resident of Linda Township in Chilanga and doing her tenth grade at Mt Makulu Secondary School. Her soccer career germinates from her primary school days at Mt Makulu Primary School.

She has featured for Chilanga District Schools Sports Soccer team as both an under 13 and under 17 player. Tionge also made her frequent feature for Lusaka Schools Sports Association under 13 soccer team three times consecutively as well as Copa Coca-Cola tournaments through Mt Makulu Secondary School team. She plays as an attacking midfielder characterized by intelligent instincts and vibrancy.

Tionge’s call to the under 17 national team was consequential on her attending trials three times. Coach Kaluba Kangwa’s final squad of Zambia Women under 17 National Soccer team for the 2020 COSAFA tournament, saw the inclusion of Tionge ‘Didi’ Sambo. She featured in three games at the tournament where Zambia was known as a


‘Disciplinary Committee’ after a splendid performance against opponents.

Tionge featured in the games against Comoros, Zimbabwe (scored the third goal of the game), and in the final against Tanzania in which her goal was controversially disallowed while she sustained an injury. Tionge is determined and ambitious to achieve her academic dreams as well as playing professional football.

Progress Sports Club nurtures young talent through sports at Linda Community School, Mt Makulu Primary/Secondary School, Munkolo Primary/Secondary School, and Kabweza Primary School. Through the sports initiative, the Chilanga based club provides life skills education to curb teenage pregnancy, early marriages, alcohol, drugs, and substance abuse, and Gender-Based Violence; Progress Sports Club integrates education and sports.