Thu, 09 Mar 2017 10:51:32 +0000
…Zambia can win the U-20 title-SA coach
By Grace Chaile-Lesoetsa and Bennie Mundando
ZAMBIA yesterday stormed the finals of the AfCON Under-20 tournament after beating tricky South Africa 1-0 in extra time after a stalemate in regulation time, courtesy of an Edward Chilufya goal in the 108th minute.
The Amajita proved to be the toughest opponent the Junior Chipolopolo have faced in this tournament as they were equal to the task tactically and managed to keep the free-scoring Zambia side at bay.
And South African head coach Thabo Senong predicted that Zambia has a chance to win the U-20 AfCON championship because they have a very strong team manned by a good technical bench.
Speaking after the Junior Chipolopolo beat his team 1-0 to qualify to the final slated for this Sunday, Senong said Zambia has the quality to emerge victorious at this year’s continental showpiece.
He said Zambia had a strong squad full of quality as evidenced by the way the team attacked and defended in the match.
He noted that South Africa and Zambia’s progress to the World Cup was an indication that there was a lot of progress in football in the Southern African region as compared to yesteryears when West African teams reigned supreme.
“Zambia is a very good team, they have been very consistent even from the COSAFA. They have prepared very well. They have players who create chances and I believe they are favourites.
“They are the favourites to win the tournament but it is going to be very tough but I trust the technical team and the coach. This team has a very good coach and you can see it from the way his team behaves when they are defending and when they are attacking.
“I am very proud of football in the Southern African region. This is not COSAFA but we have tried to balance up the dominance in this region with our West African counterparts. I wish them (Zambia) well in the finals and believe they have the chance to win,” said Senong.
Zambia started the first half more purposeful and had chances as early as five minutes played when Edward Banda latched on a loose ball in the middle of the pitch and buccaneered goal-wards before releasing a cracker which missed the target by a whisker.
Patson Daka also had a decent chance with 13 minutes played when Shemmy Mayembe intercepted Notha Ngcobo’s pass and fed Solomon Sakala with a pinpoint pass but Daka fluffed the ball for a goal-kick under pressure from Ngcobo.
South Africa then started making in-roads in Zambia’s half with Sibongakone Mbatha, Luther Singh and Grant Margeman combining well upfront and raining havoc on Zambia’s defence but it was Fashion Sakala who almost broke the deadlock in 23rd minute when he released a scorcher which went begging before Mayembe missed another chance five minutes later.
The second half was somewhat evenly balanced as the Amajita started believing they could upset the tables and came blazing for goals and would have taken the lead after 71 minutes played when one of them ghosted into the area following Grant’s tee on his path but missed the goal at point blank range.
The game went into extra time after a barren draw in regulation time and it was Chilufya who rose the highest to nod in Prosper Chiluya’s free-kick after Daka was brought down by Tercious Malepe, to send the fans into a frenzy.
This was after the game was temporarily suspended after fans started throwing bottles on the pitch, forcing police to fire teargas canisters to control the situation as CAF officials pleaded with the fans to remain calm.
