The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has congratulated the Under-17 Men’s National Team and the technical bench for making history by qualifying for the Qatar 2025 FIFA World Cup and securing a spot in the quarterfinals of the ongoing TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga expressed his pride in the young team’s achievement, noting that Zambia’s presence on the global football stage continues to grow.
Historic Qualification
“On behalf of the Football Association of Zambia and the entire football family, I wish to congratulate the Under-17 boys and the technical bench for making history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time and also reaching the quarterfinals of the AFCON,” Kamanga said.
He highlighted that Zambia’s increasing participation in prestigious tournaments, such as the World Cup, the Olympics, and AFCON, reflects the success of grassroots development programs under FAZ’s 10-year strategic plan.
Focus on the Trophy
While celebrating the milestone, Kamanga urged the team to stay focused and aim for ultimate victory.
“My message to the team is to remain grounded and focus on the top prize. We also urge the fans to give the lads a positive drive as they fly our national flag high,” he stated.
He further thanked academies, clubs, fans, and the FAZ secretariat for their role in supporting the team’s journey to the World Cup. He also pointed out Zambia’s growing presence on the global stage, citing past appearances by the U-20 team at the 2017 FIFA World Cup, the Copper Queens at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the U-17 women’s team at the 2024 World Cup in the Dominican Republic, and the back-to-back Olympic qualifications by the senior women’s team.
Strong Signals for Zambian Football
Kamanga emphasized that the U-17 team’s qualification sends a strong message to other Zambian teams competing in CAF tournaments this year.
“We have five teams that have qualified for CAF tournaments this year, and we have urged them to make qualification count by aiming for silverware,” he said.
The 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be held in Qatar in November, with Zambia among the 10 African teams set to compete. Meanwhile, at the AFCON tournament, Zambia will face Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals as they push for continental glory.