Zambia and tournament debutants Sierra Leone played out a 0-0 draw in the opening match of Group A at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025. In a closely contested affair at the Suez Canal Stadium on Sunday, both sides struggled to convert their chances in a match full of energy but lacking the clinical finishing needed to claim maximum points. Zambia, winners of the 2017 edition, dominated possession for large spells but were repeatedly frustrated by a resilient Sierra Leone defence. Joseph Sabobo was the most lively for the Young Chipolopolo, forcing several saves from Sierra Leone goalkeeper Samba Bah, but could not find the breakthrough. Sierra Leone, making their maiden appearance at this level, showed no signs of nerves and created opportunities of their own. Samba Bah and Nathaniel Jalloh were a constant threat going forward, while Alpha Turay came close with a header early in the first half. In the second period, both sides grew increasingly desperate to find a winner. Zambia thought they had won it late on, with Emmanuel Mutale and David Simukonda going close, but neither could find the target. Sierra Leone also came agonisingly close as Samba Bah saw a header saved at the death. Despite pushing forward in the final minutes, neither side was able to find the crucial breakthrough. The result leaves Group A finely poised ahead of the eveningโs second match between hosts Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium. Zambia will take positives from the number of chances created but will rue their wastefulness in front of goal. Sierra Leone, meanwhile, can take great pride from their battling performance on their tournament debut and will hope to build on this solid start. Both teams will now look to their next fixtures with a clearer idea of what it will take to progress to the quarter-finals in a tournament where the top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed teams advance to the knockout stage. By CAF Media
At the beginning of the season, no one had fancied Titus Chansa to win the Golden Boot but the striker defied odds. Chansa netted 13 goals to finish as MTN Super League joint scorer with Nkanaโs Idris Mbombo. Chansa was winning the accolade for the first time while for Mbombo, it was the second having bagged it in 2018. Chansa started the season with Mutondo Stars before joining champions Power Dynamos during the January transfer window on a one year loan. He had already netted nine times for Mutondo in the first round when he was trekking to title-chasers Power. The four goals in Power colours in the second round were enough for him to etch his name in history books and help the Kitwe side win the title. The Zambia international is over the moon after a stellar season. โIt feels good and it has motivated me to work extra hard in the coming seasons,โ Chansa said. Asked if the move to Power prevented him from scoring more than the four he managed, Chansa attributed the low scoring rate to injury. โIt only affected me the time I had an injury which led to not playing nine games plus.โ Chansa said he faced healthy competition from other strikers in the race for the golden boot. โThe competition was there in every game we had knowing that I was in the race for the Golden boot with players who have been in competition alreadyโฆbut it kept me motivated to challenge them despite having not won it before,โ he said. With his loan deal expiring in December, Chansa has big ambitions. โMy goals for next season is to maintain the same hard work especially scoring more goals, helping the team achieve in winning the Super League also to be part of the Zambia National Soccer Team.
Copper Queens coach Nora Hรคuptle has named her final 24-member squad for the CAF Womenโs Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2025. Hรคuptle has included teenage sensation Mercy Chipasula and Mapalo Maluba into her final team. China based striker Fridah Mukoma has also made the cut. The former Black Queens coach has named three goalkeepers in the squad with Catherine Musonda expected to be the first choice. Despite struggling for game time since Hรคuptle took over, defender Martha Tembo has also made the team. Vice Captain Grace Chanda returns to the side after missing the Womenโs World Cup in Australia/New Zealand through illness. Chanda has been joined by her Orlando Pride teammates Prisca Chilufya and Barbra Banda. Bay FC foward Racheal Kundananji wraps up the squad. Zambia is in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal and neighbours DR Congo. The Copper Queens will face Morocco in the opening fixture on July 5.
MTN Super League newcomers Konkola Blades have reached an agreement with ZPL National League side Riverplate to sign duo of striker Golden Zansi and defensive midfielder Benjamin Saile, the ZamFoot Crew can exclusively reveal. The two clubs reached an agreement in the last 72 hours with the duo set to complete their move to the Chilabombwe based outfit. The ZamFoot Crew understands that personal terms are currently being finalized to allow the two players to move to Blades. Zansi who joined RiverPlate FC in 2022 won the FAZ Southern Province Division One League back to back and helped Riverplate qualify for the national League. During his first season, Zansi scored only one goal during the National League playoffs against Mwaimwena Strikers. In the 2023/2024 season, he scored 17 goals in the FAZ Southern Province Division One League despite missing 14 league games in the second round due to an injury. During the 2024/2025 season, he was joint top scorer in the ZPL National League with 10 goals. He also contributed 5 Assists. Golden Zansiโs RiverPlate Career: 30 goals for River Plate; 17 in the FAZ Southern Province Division One, 3 National League Playoffs (1 in 2023 and 2 in 2024), 10 ZPL National League goals. Saeli on the other hand has played 2 seasons for River Plate featuring as a defensive midfielder. His first season was the 2023/2024 season and helped the team win the FAZ Southern Province Division One League, and also qualified for the ZPL National League via playoffs. He scored only one goal in a week 22 match against Kitwe United in Kitwe. He made 5 assists in the season. Blades are seriously looking to reinforce their squad ahead of the 2025/2026 MTN Super League season.