The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has implored the under-17 women national team to remain focused.

Zambia settled for the 2019 Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) under-17 bronze medal after beating Botswana 3-0.

FAZ general secretary Joseph Chimpapwe, who received the team from Mauritius at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Tuesday, urged the players to remain disciplined if they want to prosper in their careers.

“On behalf of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), we are proud of your achievement and you really performed beyond our expectations. The sky is no longer the limit as we used to say in the past and we hope you will continue making us proud,” Chimpampwe said.

He said football is business and advised the players to use the experience gained from the inaugural junior women’s regional tournament to develop into professional footballers.

“Our job as FAZ is to just facilitate; the onus is on you to remain disciplined and focused. Make good use of the experience you gained in Mauritius to build your career. We urge you to stay away from bad vices that would ruin your careers,” said Chimpampwe.

And coach Kaluba Kangwa said women football was gaining ground as evidenced by the performance of the senior, under-20 and under-17 teams and the regional tournaments.

Both the senior team and under-20 won COSAFA silver medals in South Africa.

“Women football is on the rise and we are grateful for the support the women’s game is receiving,” said Kangwa.