2017 Squad In Place, says FAZ

By VICTOR KUMWENDA

FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) technical director Honour Janza says the team that will challenge for glory during the 2017 Africa Youth Championship is already in place.
Janza said in Lusaka yesterday that the technical directorate has already come up with an under-15 team that will be groomed in the next four years.
The Confederation of African Football awarded Zambia the right to host the 2017 Africa Youth Championship during last Saturday’s executive committee meeting in Cairo.
Janza said FAZ is not just focusing on hosting a successful tournament but also building a formidable under-20 team, with a target of winning the 2017 Africa Youth Championship and qualifying for the FIFA World Youth Championship.
“It is a good gesture. It’s a blessing for us to host the tournament which no doubt plays a cardinal role in the development of football on the continent. In terms of planning, our focus is already ahead of time.
“We have already done our homework. We already have an under-15 team, which went to Namibia and recently South Africa. I know most of them are under-14 and in four years, they will be ready to take up the challenge,” he said.
He said under-15 coaches will have the opportunity of testing the team’s readiness for the 2017 Africa Youth Championship in selected international friendly matches.
“We are also mindful of the Zambian fans expectations. We know they will want another ‘COSAFA title’ so, we are focused on building a team capable of winning trophies.
“We will also continue with its talent identification through programmes such as Airtel Rising Stars in our quest to discover new players who will be fused in the team,” he said.
Janza said FAZ will secure quality international friendly matches to expose players ahead of the continental championship.
“We have a good relation with Namibia. They have already sent us an invitation that we should engage them on youth development. We will also ask FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya to organise a training camp in Europe preferably in France,” Janza said.
The technical directorate will engage the FAZ executive committee to appoint two coaches who will be attached to the under -15 team.

Posted by Editor on September 24, 2013. Filed under SPORTS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry