By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Zambia U17 striker Abel Nyirongo has declared he wants to come back home with not only the 2024 COSAFA U17 Cup title but also the Golden Boot award after today’s tournament final against Angola in Johannesburg.
Zambia beat South Africa 2-1 on Thursday in the semifinals to not only qualify for the COSAFA U17 Cup final where they will face Angola who eliminated Zimbabwe 2-0.
Both Angola and Zambia have also qualified for the 2025 U17 AFCON in Ivory Coast as COSAFA zone representatives.
But Nyirongo said qualifying for the U17 AFCON does not mean today’s COSAFA U17 final is a formality they are not taking seriously, especially since they have a new regional record to set.
“Qualifying for U17 AFCON is another thing, as for me, as an individual, I really want to win the cup. It is the team’s dream to retain the COSAFA U17 Cup,” Nyirongo said.
Nyirenda is tied at the top of the race for the golden boot with 5 goals with El Shaddai Sadomba whose Zimbabwe team is out of the tournament.
“I am very confident because I have a game ahead of me and the pettiness contesting against is out of the tournament. I need to keep my head up,” Nyirongo said.
A quartet of players below Nyirenda on the top scorers’ charts are tied on 3 goals, and they include teammates Gabriel Phiri and Mapalo Simute.
Furthermore, Zambia is hoping to beat Angola to win a record-setting fourth COSAFA U17 Cup title and are currently tied on 3 regional titles with South Africa.
“We have prepared very well. it’s every player’s dream to reach the final so it is not going to be an easy game against Angola. They are a very good team so we have to deliver what is expected from us,” said Nyirongo.
