Stockholm, Sweden – 20 July 2025
Chiparamba Academy Advances to Knockout Stage at Gothia Cup 2025
Chiparamba Academy proudly represented Zambia and the African continent at the Gothia Cup 2025, held in Gothenburg, Sweden. The globally renowned youth tournament brought together more than 1,600 teams from across the world.
Led by CEO Mr. Vincent Malekani and coaches Chilufya Kangwa and Daniel Mbao, the Chiparamba delegation arrived in Gothenburg on 11 July. The team delivered a commanding performance in the group stage, securing three consecutive wins, scoring 10 goals, and conceding none. With a perfect 9 points from 3 matches, they comfortably topped their group and progressed to the Round of 16.
Group Stage Performance
1. Chiparamba 3–0 Nordhordland BK (Norway)
2. Chiparamba 4–0 GAIS (Sweden)
3. Chiparamba 2–0 Örgryte IS (Sweden)
Total: 3 wins, 9 points, 10 goals scored, 0 conceded
This dominant group-stage campaign earned the team direct qualification to the knockout round.
In the Round of 16, Chiparamba faced a competitive Cantolao side from Peru. Despite a strong and determined effort, the Zambian team was narrowly defeated 0–1, ending their journey in the tournament.
Chiparamba’s presence at the Gothia Cup attracted significant attention from European scouts. Several Zambian players stood out, including Under-17 national team captain Jonathan Kalimina, who will remain in Sweden for further evaluations following his strong performances.
Clubs such as Wolverhampton Wanderers (England), Malmö FF (Sweden), and BK Häcken (Sweden) have shown interest in key players including Caleb Musonda, Chama Chansa, Joseph Zulu, and others. These young athletes will continue their development in preparation for the CAF U-17 AFCON qualifiers in September and the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar this November.
The team departed Sweden on 20 July. Prior to departure, they met with officials from the Zambian Embassy in Sweden and received encouragement as they look ahead to future competitions.
Chiparamba Academy extends sincere thanks to its supporters, partners, and the Zambian community in Sweden, including the Kwacha Nordic Association, for their hospitality and unwavering support. The team’s performance stands as a strong reflection of Zambia’s youth development efforts and growing international presence in football.
Issued by:
Mr. Vernon John Mwaanga
First Secretary, Political/Administration
Embassy of the Republic of Zambia – Stockholm, Sweden
