Youth players in the Under-15 age group from across the 10 provinces in Zambia assembled this week, in Lusaka, for the final stretch of selection for the Croatia Invitational Tournament.
Zambia coach Milutin Sredojevic has been at the heart of the talent search, collaborating with the Chisi Mbewe headed technical bench that is expected to deliver its final 21-member squad this week.
The technical directorate combed through Lusaka, Central, Copperbelt, and North-Western provinces while the rest of the provinces conducted local trials with the help of local coaches.
With the decentralization of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) operations, the technical directorate has a number of local youth coaches recently trained that have been running the talent identification program.
Lusaka has running Under-14 and Under-16 leagues with the former providing a pool of prospective players for the midlands select.
Sredojevic expressed delight with the diversity of the players drawn from across the country and hoped that the Croatia outing will be a launchpad for future Zambia stars.
The Serb said the eight-nation Invitational Tournament will be a mini world cup.
“It’s (the Croatia tournament is) a great exposure for the players that will represent the country for the first time in their personal capacities in the best way and start an early preparation for the generation of players that we want to prepare for the new Under-17 team that in two years’ time, will contest to go to the World Cup Under-17, Under-20 World Cup in five years’ time, to the Olympics and the World Cup in 2030,” said Sredojevic.
The Serb has shown confidence in the players who have displayed skill, speed, and talent, before giving hope to some of the footballers who will not make the Croatia-bound team in the third week of September.
“No player will be forgotten. We will follow the progress of others and they could jump in later stages and play for the Chipolopolo,” he said.
The Croatia Invitational tournament will run from September 21 to September 28.
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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