CAF Spotlights Zambian Team Media Officer For Outstanding Work
At only 20 years old, Cosmas Chongo Mulenga is already establishing himself as one of the most promising faces of African sports journalism.
Presenter at Diamond TV Zambia, corporate event host, field reporter and currently Team Media Officer of the Zambian team competing in the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, the young Lusak native impresses with his versatility, maturity, storytelling and professionalism.
His pen and camera have recently taken him to the world stage: Cosmas is the only journalist from Southern Africa to be among the 12 global finalists of the AIPS Sport Media Awards in the category “Young Reporters – Broadcasting”. A feat hailed in Zambia and far beyond, rewarding a poignant report on grandmothers who play football, Edgeless Warriors, where sport and society intertwine with humanity.
But beyond the trophies, it is a mission that he has set himself: to tell the stories of the continent. From Morocco, where he accompanies the young Chipolopolos on a daily basis, Cosmas documents every moment: training sessions, press conferences, portraits of players. “What I want,” he says, “is to show that African stories deserve to be heard, seen and recognized on a global scale.”
Charismatic, a good listener, he forged fraternal bonds with the players he considered his “little brothers”. Halfway between shadow and light, he embodies this new generation that films, writes, edits, tells, with a contagious passion. Between two reports, he was already dreaming of bigger stages, stronger stories, and borders to cross. And when you read or listen to it, you think it’s only a matter of time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself for those who don’t know you yet?
My name is Cosmas Chongo Mulenga, I am 20 years old and I am currently a sports journalist and TV presenter for Diamond TV Zambia, one of the country’s leading private media outlets. In addition to that, I am also master of ceremonies for events, especially in the corporate sector. I think I am the youngest master of ceremonies established in this field in Zambia. That’s kind of who I am: a young professional in the sports industry.
When did you know you wanted to become a sports journalist?
I had this click right after high school. I took part in a televised competition which allowed me to discover the presentation on screen. It was a revelation. I’ve always loved telling stories, and at that moment I realized that I wanted to mix this passion with my passion for sport – which I practice myself. Very quickly, I wanted to learn how to tell sports stories, to highlight athletes, to carry their voices. I also wanted to perfect my craft so that Zambian stories would be recognized globally. That’s when I realized I was made for it.
You received the “Rising Star of the Year” award. What does this recognition mean to you?
This award was a very strong moment for me, as it came after a period of hard work and consistency. In our industry, youth is sometimes confused with lack of experience. So I always had to prove my worth by the quality and consistency of my work. Sometimes you wonder if anyone sees you. And this recognition confirmed that my efforts did not go unnoticed. It is perfectly in line with my personal mission: to inspire my peers to strive for excellence, regardless of their age. This award reminded me that passion, rigor and perseverance pay off in the end.
You were also a finalist at the AIPS Sport Media Awards, a coveted international recognition. What does this appointment mean to you, personally and professionally?
Being a finalist at the AIPS Awards was a surreal moment. My report was called “Edgeless Warriors: Zambia’s Yasa Grannies Defy Age Through Sport”. It tells the incredible story of Zambian grandmothers over the age of 67 who play football to strengthen community and promote health. This story led me to the Top 21, then the Top 12 of young reporters in broadcasting, with the announcement of the Top 10 imminent.Professionally, this is a major milestone: it shows that Zambian talent is recognized on the world stage. Personally, it’s a source of pride, but also a mission: to inspire other young people to believe that their stories matter. Seeing an internationally recognized young Zambian sends a strong message to an entire generation.
What exactly is your role as Team Media Officer with the U-17 team?
My role is to be the link between the U-17 national team and the journalists, the fans, and the whole country. I cover everything: performance, well-being, behind the scenes. From the preparations to the tournament, I make sure that everything is relayed: interviews, photos, videos, articles… I also provide the necessary elements to CAF. The objective is twofold: to inform, but also to prepare the players to manage the media coverage. The press is an integral part of modern football, and I want them to be ready.
How were you selected for this position?
It is the Zambia Football Association that chooses, at its discretion, a journalist to accompany the teams to international competitions. I was honoured to be selected to accompany the U-17s on their first-ever international tour in March 2024. The funny thing is that it was also my first time on a plane, as it was for many players. This created a unique bond. I was able to develop a relationship of trust with them, almost fraternal.
What has impressed you the most since your arrival in Morocco with the team?
Two things have made a deep impression on me. First of all, the network I was able to build here: meeting experienced professionals was very formative. Then, the team’s qualification for the World Cup. This is a historic moment for our country. This group has grown before my eyes. We started together on the international stage, during the 4 Nations Tournament in Morocco last year. Today, they are globalists. Our trajectories are linked, and it’s very emotional.
What does a typical day look like for you during this tournament?
It’s very intense! In the morning, I prepare my equipment: cameras, batteries, microphones… I photograph and film training sessions, I do interviews, I edit all this for the Federation’s networks and for my Diamond TV channel. If a press conference is planned, I accompany the players and coaches, I prepare them, I cover the event. In the evening, I rework the photos, I finalize the videos, I write. My days end late – I’m more of a night owl.
You’re 20 years old. What relationship do you have with the players, who are about your age?
I consider them my little brothers. We have a very fraternal relationship. Some come from very modest backgrounds and have had to fight to convince their families to let them play. They are now at the World Cup. I talk to them a lot, I advise them. My goal is for them to seize this opportunity and give the best of themselves.
What do you particularly like about this position of Team Media Officer?
Tell tales. That’s what I like the most. Each player has a unique background. Seeing these young talents evolve, accompanying them in their first great adventure, is priceless. And then, this position also opens me up to the world of international media. I learn a lot from other journalists, from CAF, from my African colleagues. It is an incredibly rich experience.
Do you have an anecdote or a memorable moment to share since the beginning of the tournament?
Qualification for the World Cup, without a doubt. It’s a moment engraved in my memory. Not only for me, but for an entire country. This gives impetus to the other national teams, especially the women’s teams. And then, the exchanges with other professionals here, the links created, were also very striking.
Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?
In five or ten years, I see myself as an internationally recognized sports journalist. I want to tell Zambian, African and global stories on the biggest stages. Traveling, meeting athletes, giving a voice to those who don’t have one. And above all, to open doors for other young Zambian journalists. I may be the youngest journalist in my country today, and I want others to have the same opportunity.
Story Credit: CAF
