By ALICE NACHILEMBE
President Edgar Lungu has commended Under-17 National Team for winning the 2019 Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) Junior championship.
Young Chipolopolo beat Mozambique 2-0 in a tournament played at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi yesterday.
The President has also congratulated the Zambia National Team for qualifying for the 2020 Cameroon African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals on Saturday.
In a congratulatory message, the President said the boys had propelled Zambia’s image in the football circles in Africa and the entire world.
The President encouraged the boys to continue working hard and always aim higher if they were to maintain their excellent performance.
“I urge you boys to be at your best behaviour, if you to continue recording success,” he said.
He has also appealed to the Football Association of Zambia to ensure that the boys are nurtured to ensure that they maintain their form and skill to attract opportunities to world acclaimed teams.
“On behalf of my Government, the people of Zambia and on my own behalf, I wish to congratulate the Under-17 National Team for the excellent performance,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President has expressed happiness at the Zambia National Soccer team for qualifying for the 2020 Cameroon African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals in Saturday’s last round return fixture against eSwatini.
The President congratulated the team and prayed that the team will make Zambia proud in the CHAN tournament next year.
However, the President is saddened by the negative attitude exhibited by the soccer fans towards the national team saying there was no need for the fans to be acrimonious as the team had already excelled.
“Soccer fans should always be there to boost the morale of the team not to be antagonistic against them whether they won or lost,” the President said.
And the President has congratulated Zambia’s Boxing sensation Catherine Phiri for defeating Tanzanian Flora Machela in a super bantamweight non-title bout.
The President has encouraged Catherine to continue with a fighting spirit for her to continue recording victory for future bouts.
This is contained in a statement issued by Isaac Chipampe the Special Assistant to the President (Press and Public Relations).
