Sports News

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 12:19:53 +0000

Zambia mint silver in Seoul

By BENNIE MUNDANDO

U-20 thrash Honduras 4-1 but are pipped for top prize by hosts S. Korea

A FIERCE display by high-scoring Edward Chilufya, midfield maestro Enock Mwepu and free-flowing Emmanuel Banda yesterday propelled the Zambia Under-20 national soccer team to a 4-1 thrashing of Honduras, minting silver after coming out second at the Adidas invitational tournament in Seoul.

After winning the AfCON Under-20 tournament three weeks ago, Beston Chambeshi’s boys were invited to the tournament by South Korea and started on a positive note with a 2-0 win over Ecuador before suffering a shock 4-1 humiliation by the hosts South Korea.

However, a brace from Mwepu and a goal each from Chilufya and Banda completed an attornment for a stuttering performance against the hosts in the second match to underline a perfect come-back and eventually grab silver. Beston Chambeshi named regular starters in his squad in the final match and the boys did not disappoint as they went for an all-attacking scintillating football and came close to grabbing the top prize but were beaten by hosts head-to-head after the two teams collected six points each out of a possible nine.

Zambia attacked from the first whistle with decent skills on the ball as a formidable midfield combination of Mwepu and Banda dictated the tempo of play but it was Chilufya who opened the floodgates with only three minutes played. The goal seemed to have sparked the Junior Chipolopolo as the boys literally camped in their opponents’ half as Honduras sat at the back to absorb the onslaught with Mwepu and Banda engineering most of the attacks.

However, Honduras would have levelled the scores from a free kick with 20 minutes played but only managed to rattle the woodwork before Chilufya’s shot was saved at point blank.

Banda then increased the tally to 2-0 with a cracker at the edge of the box in the 35th minute before Mwepu made it 3-0 about 10 minutes later but Honduras reduced the deficit through a penalty right at the stroke of the first half after Shemmy Mayembe was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.

Mwepu then scored his second in the second half to make it 4-1. More chances came their way but the boys failed to increase the tally as fatigue crept in.

In the second match, South Korea were beaten 2-0 by Ecuador but the hosts still claimed the coveted prize despite scoring seven goals and conceding five just like Zambia because of the 4-1 win over the junior Chipolopolo in the second game to tuck away the trophy on superior head-to-head statistics.

The Zambia Under-20 team has only lost once since December last year when they lifted the COSAFA Cup in South Africa before outshining their continental opponents to become the first team from Africa to qualify to the Under-20 World Cup to be held in South Korea in May this year. The team is expected back in the country this weekend.

Meanwhile, Zambia’s much-fancied 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup group C opponents Portugal have just finished bottom of the four-nation Tournoi tournament in France after picking a defeat and two draws to finish as tail-enders with a paltry two points.

The two-time Under-20 world champions drew 2-2 with England in the opening game on March 23 before losing 3-0 to Senegal two days later. Portugal closed the tournament with a 2-2 draw with hosts France on Wednesday.

AfCON 2012 squad regroup for Zambeef ‘Kaleza’ tournament

By Sports Reporter

STRIKER Christopher Katongo will be in action at Zambeef’s Zamfest football and food extravaganza in the Lusaka Showgrounds on April 8.

The former Chipolopolo team captain will lead Felix Katongo and Joseph Musonda, along with Buchiza Mfune, Joseph Chisanga, in donning their boots at Zamfest for the friendly match against the heat winners of the company’s Kaleza football tournament.

The preliminary round of the tournament are set for tomorrow at the Bank of Zambia Recreation Centre.

“It will make for an exciting match to have the champions challenged by an amateur team and hopefully will add that much more excitement and fun for the festival goers,” said Zambeef joint chief executive officer Dr Carl Irwin.

Irwin said the tournament will be part of Zambeef’s massive Zamfest event at the showgrounds which will also see the launch of DVD sales of the documentary that captures the passion, excitement and national pride of the Zambian football team..

“We are really excited to have the five players on board as we launch the e18hteam DVD. It is fitting given that the film is about and celebrate Zambian football and what better way than to have some of the actual team members from 2012 present.

‘‘It charts the fortunes of the national Chipolopolo team – from the lows of the 1993 Gabon air crash to the highs of the 1212 triumph,” he said.

20 rev off for Alliance rally championship

By GRACE CHAILE-LESOETSA

TWENTY drivers have confirmed participation for this weekend’s Alliance Motors national rally championship in Lusaka.

At a media briefing held yesterday in Lusaka, clerk of the course Martin Mwitila said all was in place for the second round of the rally set for Sable farms, covering a total distance of 132.93 kilometres.

“The course is set and so far 20 drivers have confirmed participation. Garden City Mall will host the special stage on Saturday which will rev off at 19.30 hours,” Mwitila said.

Meanwhile, defending champion Muna Singh Junior who finished second in the first round last month declared victory ahead of the competition.

“I am ready for this weekend’s challenge and wish to warn Miles Monge of a tough competition. I finished second behind Monge in the previous rally, but this is my turn to assume leadership on the table,” he said.

He said the Africa Rally Championship competition in Kenya was a good experience because of the rough terrain.

“It was not an easy competition but we showed them that Zambian had tough drivers. So now my focus is reclaiming the national title and the journey starts this weekend,” he said.

But Miles said he was set to extend his leadership on the summit of the table.

“My major competitors in this weekend’s competition is Jessy and his brother Muna Jr, but I am very much ready for them. They will not spoil my aim to win the national championship this year,” he said.

Viyon Pinto said he was aiming for a top five finish.

“I had problems with the car in the previous rally but it’s in good state for the next event. A top five finish will be good,” he said.

Pro-Watch Limited will provide tracking devices in 20 cars and other services at a cost of K33,000.

Operations manager Chileshe Chileshe said Pro-Watch will continue to associate with the Zambia Motor Sport Association in growing the sport.

“We are again excited to partner with ZMSA in staging a successful event. Our sponsorship comes in the form of service at a cost of K33,000,” Chileshe said.

Zanaco see red

…as the CAF reps and defending champs Power kiss the dust

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

CONFEDERATION of African Football (CAF) Champions League representatives Zanaco and Power Dynamos were yesterday ejected from the Samuel “Zoom” Ndhlovu Charity Shield race after losing to Nkana and Zesco United respectively.

Zesco beat Power 4-2 and Nkana humiliated Zanaco 3-0 to storm the finals of the Charity Shield this Sunday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Nkana proved to be a tough nut to crack in a late semi-final kick-off of the double-header at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe, dismantling Zanaco in all departments.

The 12-time league champions set the tone of the match and made sure not to disappoint their fans.

Nkana took the lead in the ninth minute when Walter Bwalya beat the Zanaco defenders and scored with a low shot.

Ronald Kampamba could have doubled the scores in the 28th minute but his shot hit the woodwork. Nkana continued to toy around with Zanaco till the break.

On return, Nkana raised the tempo of the game, tormenting Zanaco who only survived thanks to Toaster Nsabata who produced some good saves.

But Kampamba finally inked his name on the score sheet in the 58th minute, making it 2-0 for Nkana. Veteran defender Joseph Musonda sealed off the 3-0 victory in the 72nd minute with a splendid free kick into the corner of the net.

In an early semi-final kick-off, title holders Power were ejected from the race after losing 4-2 to CAF Confederation Cup representatives Zesco United. Zesco dominated the first half, opening fire in the 17th minute of play through Jackson Were who scored from a tight angle. With the Power defence in disarray, David Owin doubled the advantage in the 29th minute before Power’s Billy Mutale scored an own goal as he intended to clear Were’s shot, giving Zesco a 3-0 lead.

Lyson Sikaonga pulled one back for Power four minutes before the break.

On return, Power tried to level the scores but captain and goal keeper Jacob Banda denied the Kitwe side the chance to overturn the results with good saves.

Were completed his brace in the 49th minute to make it 4-1 for the five-time league champions. Larry Bwalya scored a cracker in the 86th minute to make it 2-4 for Power.

“We are happy at least we wanted to reach the final. Zanaco is a strong team but we were well prepared for the challenge,” Nkana coach Zeddy Saileti said.

His counterpart Mumamba Numba said it was unfortunate that Zanaco again failed to storm the finals.

The proceeds from the games is given to the patron of the Football Association of Zambia who is the republican President, who in turn donates the money to a charity of his choice.