The man who coached striker Patson Daka and midfielder Enock Mwepu’s Under 17 national team that made Zambia’s debut appearance at AFCON U17 talks about what he expects to see from the Chipolopolo stars during their second season in England.
Chris Kaunda ended Zambia’s 30-year wait for AFCON U17 qualification in 2015 for the tournament in Niger, where they made a group stage exit.
That team would form the foundation of the 2017 AFCON U20 winning side and the rest, as they say, is history.
Daka joined RB Salzburg in Austria in 2016, while Mwepu followed him a season later before moving to England in June 2021 to join Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion, respectively.
In their debut English Premiership season, Mwepu made 18 league appearances and scored two goals, while Daka made 23 appearances and scored five goals.
“Last season was a learning phase for both of them, and I am sure they now understand what the English League is all about now,” Kaunda told FARPost.
“What I noticed last season was that they learnt a lot in Austria and came prepared into the new league.
“I am sure they are stable now and focused. We expect them to give us what we need this season, and I believe they have the character and strength to do what is right.
“Otherwise, they have excellent coaches and senior players behind them, and they must just keep their feet on the ground.”
Kaunda coached seven-time FAZ Super League winners Zanaco from 2020 to 2021, leading them to their debut quarterfinal qualification in the 2019/2020 CAF Confederation Cup.
He later had a brief stint last season at Kabwe Warriors. Meanwhile, the English Premiership season kicks off this weekend, and both players are in action on August 7.
Leicester is home against Brentford while Brighton visits Manchester United.
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