The Zambia Under-17 Boys National Team has been knocked out of the 2025 TotalEnergies Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a disappointing 6-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the quarterfinal stage of the tournament.
In what was anticipated to be a tightly contested match, the young Chipolopolo were unable to match the pace and intensity of their West African opponents, who dominated the game from start to finish. Despite a valiant effort, Zambia found themselves trailing early on and struggled to recover as Burkina Faso continued to pile on the pressure, converting their chances with ruthless efficiency.
Zambia’s lone goal provided a brief glimmer of hope, but it was not enough to spark a comeback as Burkina Faso maintained control throughout the match. The result brings an end to Zambia’s campaign in this year’s edition of the prestigious youth tournament, dashing hopes of progressing to the semifinals and qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is expected to conduct a post-tournament review to evaluate the team’s performance and chart a way forward for the future of youth football in the country. While the loss is undoubtedly a tough pill to swallow, it also provides a learning opportunity for the young players and technical staff as they aim to grow and improve ahead of future competitions.
Fans across the country continue to rally behind the team, expressing support for the young talents and encouraging them to remain focused and determined despite the setback.
By Diamond Staffer
