By MICHAE MIYOBA
ZAMBIA’S 2-1 victory over Morocco in their last group B fixture was not enough to propel the Ian Bakala-drilled Junior Chipolopolo to the quarter finals of the Algeria 2023 TotalEnergies Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Junior Chipolopolo put up a spirited fight and had to come from behind at the 19 Mai 1956 Stadium in Annaba, to overcome Morocco who had nothing to lose after winning their first two games against Nigeria and South Africa.
Zambia were behind as early as the 18th minute when Zakaria Ouazane put Morocco ahead inside the box from a well-timed pass by Mohamed Kebdani.
However, Bakala introduced Samson Malaya as one of the three players brought in the game at the start of the second half and the midfielder justified his introduction by levelling matters 17 minutes from time.
Zambia continued to dominate the North Africans with Aaron Simpasa and Emmanuel Mwanza constantly troubling their opponent’s backline and with five minutes to the end of the match, Marcel Zimba was tripped by Kebdani and referee Merveil Vendafara pointed to the spot.
Man, of the match Emmanuel Mwanza sealed the win two minutes from time when he sent Hamza Jlid the wrong way from the spot to score his third goal at the tournament after he grabbed a brace in the defeat to South Africa.
Despite having finished with a better goal difference than South Africa, the Junior Chipolopolo were ranked fourth in the group with three points on par with South Africa who finished third and qualified to the knockout stage as best losers.
South Africa qualified ahead of Zambia due to a head to head record after the Amajimbos beat the Junior Chipolopolo 3-2 in the second group tie played on May 3 at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine.
Bakala said he was proud of his boys despite the team’s failure to go past the group stage.
Bakala is hopeful that Zambia will do better next time after picking lessons from how the youth Afcon was organised in Algeria.
“All we wanted was to come out with a win. It is a good experience we have seen how tournaments like these are organised and going forward we are going to do better than this,” Bakala said.
Meanwhile, Bakala believes African football is going to develop if kids are introduced to modernised venues at a young age.
“For most of my boys it was their first time playing in stadiums like these of which is good. African football is going to go higher if we play in stadiums such as the ones we have found here. My boys did well despite losing the first two games but it was a good experience for them,” he said.
With Zambia eliminated, South Africa will face Senegal while Morocco will travel back to Constantine, where a battle royale against hosts Algeria awaits them in the quarter finals on Wednesday.
Nigeria will face Burkina Faso or defending champions Cameroon who by press time yesterday had unfinished business while Mali will meet Congo in the last eight.
