By Shamaoma Musonda –
LUSAKA Mayor Wilson Kalumba says the 14th edition of the 2017 Africa under-20 football tournament will give an economic boost to the city and Zambia as a whole.
The Mayor also assured visiting African teams that includes Egypt, Mali, Guinea, South Africa, Sudan, Cameroon and Senegal of a hospitable stay in Zambia.
He said the continental tournament was a memorable event and that Zambians, particularly the people of Lusaka, were excited about hosting the African Youth football championship.
According to a Statement released by Lusaka City Council (LCC) Public Relations Manager Brenda Katongola, the  Mayor was mostly excited that the tournament would boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
“The City of Lusaka warmly welcomes you to the capital city of Zambia.  We are so excited that Zambia; home of the Chipolopolo – and Lusaka in particular, is hosting some of the games in the 14th edition of the 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations soccer tournament,” the Mayor said.
He called for peaceful celebrations and requested the locals to take care of the visiting teams and spectators at the stadiums, places of lodging and entertainment areas adding that the under-20 football tournament was an event for Africans and by Africans.
“As a friendly people of Lusaka, we encourage you to take care of our visitors in the usual friendly Zambian hospitality way during their stay in Lusaka. This is an African tournament, for Africans by Africans and as such, there are no winners and no losers,” Kalumba said.