Zambia to host 2017 Africa Youth Championship finals
- Published
Zambia flag
The Football Association of Zambia (Faz) has been awarded the right to organise and host the 2017 Africa Youth Championship finals.
This will be the first time a Confederation of African Football (Caf) continental championship will be staged in Zambia.
The decision was confirmed at the Caf executive committee meeting held in Cairo on Saturday.
The Faz president, Kalusha Bwalya, expressed his joy after the news had been announced.
"I am really delighted for our football" Bwalya said.
"Let me also thank the government through the Minister of Sport, Hon. Chishimba Kambwili, for backing the Football Association of Zambia all the way in this bid.
"It will be a first for Zambia to be hosting a Caf competition and I'm sure our people will delight in this news. The time to prepare starts now."
Zambia, who won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012, had to abort their only previous attempt at staging a Caf competition. It came in 1988 when the country was awarded the Africa Cup of Nations, but it withdrew because of a lack of funds and Morocco stepped in.
Having hosted the regional Cosafa Cup this year, Zambia's staging of the 2017 African Youth Cup could go a long way in cementing their wish to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations which they have bid for.