The Under-15 boys team of Zambia brought their campaign at the CAF African Schools Football Championship to a positive close with a victory over hosts Zimbabwe in a ranking match held at Gateway High School in Harare.
Although the side had already been eliminated from contention for the main title, the young Chipolopolo showed determination to finish strongly, overcoming the home side with a composed performance that underlined their potential.
The decisive moment in the match came through forward Allan Chinambu, who scored twice to secure the win. His first goal arrived early in the sixth minute, giving Zambia an immediate advantage and quietening the local supporters. He doubled the lead in the 26th minute, finishing clinically to ensure his side maintained control of the contest.
The result offered a measure of consolation for Zambia, who had experienced a challenging group stage campaign. Despite not progressing further in the tournament, the team demonstrated resilience and flashes of quality across their matches.
Zambia began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Tanzania, showing early promise in a balanced encounter. However, they were unable to build on that result in their second match, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Benin. The loss proved costly in their bid to advance from the group.
In their final group fixture, Zambia once again displayed fighting spirit, holding Senegal to a 1-1 draw in what was described as an entertaining match. That performance, along with their earlier draw, highlighted the team’s ability to compete against strong opposition, even if results did not ultimately go their way.
The victory over Zimbabwe in the ranking match allowed Zambia to leave the tournament on a more encouraging note. It also reflected the progress made by the young squad over the course of the competition, as they adapted and improved with each game.
While the early exit from the main competition will have been disappointing, the experience gained is likely to prove valuable for the players’ development. Competing against teams from across the continent provided an opportunity to test themselves in a demanding environment and gain exposure at an international level.
For Zambia, the campaign may not have delivered silverware, but the final result against Zimbabwe ensured that their participation ended with a sense of achievement and optimism for the future.
