Zambia Under-20 have just produced their worst run at an African Youth Championship tournament from six outings.
Hector Chilombo’s side finished bottom of Group B at the second tournament after losing 5-2 in their dead rubber against South Africa.
It was the first time Zambia had left the African Youth Championship without a point since the 1995 tournament in Nigeria where they exited with one point, six behind Mali and the hosts.
Out of six outings, Zambia have reached the semifinals in 1991, 1999 and 2007 while finishing third in 1995 (one point) and 1997 (two points)
Zambia’s exit is even more disappointing after a swirling amount of hype was churned out surrounding the quality of the Class of 2015.
However while the team was blessed with the basic fundamentals, sans defence, their one-dimensional shortcomings outside the comfort zone of the COSAFA region were exposed by their opponents who have showed them the gulf in class and shifted three gears up in terms of power, size and pace.
Meanwhile, the manner of the exit of a team that included midfielder Patson Daka who was summoned straight from the CAF Under-17 Cup in Niger is of great concern.
This team we are told is also supposed to be the blueprint of Zambia’s push for Qatar 2022 but it is now clear we should revisit our all-round football doctrine.
As long as Kalu is heading FA there will be no soccer development in this country.
Nevers should take over the running of soccer in this country. hE CAN DO BETTER than trying to run the country.
We must change the way we select these youngsters. Affording a pair of boots shouldn’t be the criteria! NO! what ever happened to identifying RAW talent in Shangombo or Mwinilunga? Go into the ten provinces in the deep dyole! Elo stop using dull coaches please! we need tacticians! talent developers! motivational coaches!
People who thought this was a tournament winning team am sure never saw the caliber of players in the 1999 and 2007 teams. Personally not even one player impressed me in this team and I wonder how people imagined such an average side to go all the way and win the tournament.
Our greatest weakness nowadays, at all levels, seems to be a tactical deficiency, individually, on a team basis, and especially at the coaching level.
We need to expose our best coaches, like Wedson Nyirenda & George Lwandamina, through attachment in Spain, Germany, France or England, to enable them learn the latest management techniques practically, theoretics on their own are failing us.
The Nov – Jan period offers a viable window, off season here, but into the peak period over there.
Come on Kalu & Co, read the signs on the wall…
I agree Nevers Mumba should coach Chipolopolo and we will win something. The current coaches from Janza downwards are sooooooooooo useless that anyone can do a better job than them
African football is made in d west….Nigeria or one of them will win it