Zambia U-20 victory has united Zambians – Lungu

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Conferderation of African Football (CAF) president Issa Hayatou,President Edgar Chagwa Lungu,Sports Minister Moses Mawere and Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga

President Edgar Lungu says the victory of the Zambia under-20 is a demonstration that in unity the country has the power to rise above all social, political and economic divides.

Speaking during the luncheon hosted in honor of the victorious under-20 national soccer team at State house this afternoon, President Lungu says the players have brought joy and great honor to the nation at a time when the country truly needs to be united than never before.

He says this is because some people have not recovered from the acrimony of campaigns which nearly destroyed the country.

President Lungu notes that Zambians cheered the team in unity regardless of tribe, political affiliation, color or religion.

He says this epitomized the unity that has existed in the country since independence.

And President Lungu says the achievements of the junior Chipolopolo on the football pitch has restored Zambia’s image as a great footballing nation.

President Lungu further states that the victory has revitalized the memory of the world of Zambia as one of the greatest footballing nations in Africa following the 2012 AFCON triumph by the senior national soccer team in Gabon.

The Head of State has however, cautioned the players to be weary of social temptations that come with their new acquired status and against rushing into signing professional contracts without consulting.