SIXTEEN year-old John Chinga’ndu regards football as an amazing sport because it enables an individual to achieve their dreams.

The player is part of the under-20 national team that is camping in Lusaka ahead of the Council for Southern African Football Association (COSAFA) youth challenge championship slated for December 5 in South Africa.

The Education Post caught up with the lad at Independence stadium during a training session and he shared his experiences as a nascent footballer.

“I love football because it is in me, it’s a talent that is going to lead me to my dream”, said the Ndola based Zesco United player.

John who dates back the foundation of his career to primary school days at Kayebe Basic said being part of the 22-member team for the COSAFA Youth Challenge was a pleasant encounter because it offered a chance for exposure.

“To me, being part of this team means that I am on the right track because I was even part of the COSAFA under-20 team that went to South Africa last year. We came out number four, Malawi was the champion”, said John.

The striker who just finished writing his grade 12 examinations added that the team would prepare adequately to emerge victorious.

“My first international match was when I was part of the under-17 team that went to Namibia in 2007. It was an exciting match”, said the Lubuto High School leaver as he relives special moments of his football life.

He added that he was even part of the under-20 team that took on Mauritius at Woodlands stadium last year.

“The other local match that I enjoyed was when Zesco played against Kabwe Warriors and we won 3-1”, he reminisced.

“Before I joined Zesco United in 2007, I was with Young Zesco football club and the moment I will live to cherish was when the team (Young Zesco) was being formed. I scored seven goals and emerged top scorer. That was how I secured myself a place in the team”.
John who draws his inspiration from national team player Felix Katongo and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, international scene said Young Zesco provided a good starting point because the team could compete with bigger clubs and exposed him a great deal.

“In Young Zesco, we would compete with other clubs and during a match with Zesco United at the Trade Fair in Ndola, I impressed the coaches and was picked together with six others to play for Zesco United”, he explained.

The enterprising player who represented his former school (Lubuto High) at several inter-provincial competitions and coca-cola championships urged upcoming players to put school first as they develop their talents.

Asked how he juggled school and the ball, John said prioritizing one’s duties is very important.
“It is important to know the most important thing in one’s life and work towards achieving those goals,” said the engineer aspirant.

“I know that for me to have a completefruitful life no matter what talent I may have, I need to acquire an education”.
The upcoming player said he divided his time accordingly, adding that he would attend lectures in the morning, study in the afternoon and play football to perfect his skills in the evening.

He said football was a good sport because it transformed an individual into a responsible person.

“In football, one has to be patient, focused and committed. That is the kind of person I am because I know that discipline brings good things in life”, said John.

He also said he has no time for other recreational activities and only enjoys football.

He advised his fellow youths to keep themselves busy by getting involved in sport.
Born to Edah Chinga’ndu and Lyson Chinga’ndu on December 11 1993, John is the third born in the family of four.