By GWEN CHIPASULA –
ZAMBIAN football fans are excited with Cabinet’s decision to approve the hosting of the 2017 Africa Youth Championship.
On Monday, the Cabinet meeting chaired by President Edgar Lungu gave a thumbs up to the Football Association of Zambia’s (FAZ) proposal to stage the Under-20 tournament.
This came after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2013 awarded Zambia the right to host the 2017 Africa Youth Championship.
Government’s approval has excited the fans with the two main bodies saying the move will go a long way in uplifting not just the football standards but also the excitement in budding players.
Chipolopolo Soccer Fans Association (CSFA) chairperson, Yotham Mwanza said Cabinet’s move was commendable and meant for the good of the local game.
Mwanza said it was time Zambia started to host a tournament of such magnitude.
He said hosting the Under-20 tournament was a major milestone as it would be a prelude to staging the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in future.
“It is such a good gesture that Government has approved this because Zambia has most of the facilities required,” he said.
Zambia Sports Fans Association (ZSFA) chairperson, Peter Makembo said hosting such a tournament showed the country was headed into the right direction and would benefit the nation.
Makembo also hailed FAZ for putting a bid for the 2017 Africa Youth Championship.
“This is a good move, the fans can not wait for 2017. We can only wish FAZ all the best with this move,” he said.