By CAROLYN MUTEMWA –
ZAMBIA’s hosting of the Total 2017 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament that ended yesterday triggered business among traders of various merchandises especially in Lusaka and Ndola, the host cities.
Traders of various products like replica jerseys, head socks and trumpets popularly known as the ‘vuvuzelas’ as well as players in the hospitality industry registered high sales.
A survey conducted at Lusaka’s central business district revealed that the stock for the items football-related items were selling like hot cakes from the time the tournament started on February 26, 2017 up to yesterday.
Robert Chilengwe, a trader, said he never used to sell replica Zambian jerseys, but from the time the AFCON started, he decided to start the business and it has benefitted him tremendously.
“The business went on well especially when Zambia was playing. I couldsell more than five head socks, nine to 10 jerseys a day,” Mr Chilengwe said.
Mr  Chilengwe said the demand of the merchandise increased because the Zambian team was winning and people were motivated to buy the replica jerseys.
Shadreck  Mumba thanked the Confederation of African Football and  the Football Association of Zambia for bringing the football tournament to Zambia.
“ I never used to sell more jerseys before the AFCON, but  this time around  I could sell five to seven  jerseys per day. The boom in business has also enabled me to raise money for my children’s school fees and also for our daily upkeep,” he said.
Eight countries participated in the Under 20 football tournament which has been held in the country for the very first time.
Apart from host Zambia, other countries represented were Mali, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Guinea, Cameroon and Sudan.