U-20 Boyd Mulwanda, Brian Kunsanama & Sipho Mumbi Step In
Zambia’s Under-20 national football team has a new technical bench, featuring former internationals Boyd Mulwanda and Sipho Mumbi, who will be joined by Atletico Lusaka coach Brian Kunsanama. This trio is tasked with shaping the future stars of Zambian football and leading the team in defending their title at the 2024 COSAFA Under-20 Championship.
The upcoming COSAFA tournament is particularly significant as it doubles as a qualifying competition for the 2025 Africa Youth Championship. The event will take place in Maputo, Mozambique, from September 26 to October 5, 2024. The draw for the tournament is scheduled for September 5 at 11h00 CAT, also in Maputo.
The COSAFA Under-20 Championship is known for producing future stars, and this year’s competition will see 12 teams divided into three groups. The top team from each group, along with the best-placed runner-up, will advance to the semifinals. The winners of the semifinals will not only compete for the title but will also secure a spot in the Africa Youth Championship.
Zambia’s Under-20 team is the most successful in the history of the COSAFA Championship, with 12 titles to their name. Their main rivals, South Africa, have won the tournament eight times, but their last victory was in 2018. Zimbabwe has also been a strong contender with six titles, while Madagascar and Mozambique have each claimed the trophy once.
The group stage of the tournament will run from September 26 to October 1, with the semifinals scheduled for October 3 and the final on October 5. This year’s tournament does not include a third-place play-off, making every match crucial.
With Mulwanda, Mumbi, and Kunsanama at the helm, Zambia will be aiming to add another title to their impressive record and secure their place in the Africa Youth Championship. As the defending champions, all eyes will be on the young Chipolopolo as they strive to continue their dominance in the region.
