By MICHAEL MIYOBA
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia General Secretary Reuben Kamanga has urged the selection panel facilitating the Under-17 provincial trials to be transparent and choose players on merit.
The Under-17 provincial trials kicked off yesterday in Lusaka with all the 10 provinces getting a taste of competition at Sunset Stadium and NASDEC ground in Lusaka.
Kamanga flagged off the competition that is being played in a round-robin basis with selectors tasked to pick a 22-member squad that will face the All-Stars team tomorrow at Sunset Stadium.
Kamanga said the provincial trials presents a good opportunity to identify players who will compete in the Under-17 World Cup qualifiers.
“This exercise is a good opportunity for us to see which players can make the squad that will be competitive enough to play the World Cup qualifiers and I urge you all to choose on merit and not look at where the players are coming from,” Kamanga said.
“Out of 180 players from provinces plus the All Stars Team, I don’t think we can fail to pick a strong team. My appeal to you is to find the best talent so all the best in the tournament.”
The trials form part of the association’s roadmap of strengthening the U-17 women’s national team ahead of the 2024 World Cup qualifier matches against Tanzania next month.
