COSAFA U17:Â Venue: Anjalay Stadium
Zambia 1 – 0 Lesotho (Benson Simwanda)
A late Benson Simwanda goal gave Zambia a vital 1 – 0 victory over Lesotho to put their hopes of reaching the semi finals of the 2018 Cosafa U17 championship.
The defending champions were desperate for a win after drawing the first game against Mozambique but they looked as though they would be left frustrated by Lesotho before their late success.
Lesotho had the best chance of the opening half as Tebello Lethoko was denied by a fine stop from Philip Malunga in the Young Chipolopolo goal.
Zambia’s Vincent Kalinda saw his effort cleared off the line in the second half, while Enock Sakala missed a cross with the goal gaping.
But the defining moment came with a minute left when Simwanda headed home, minutes after Lesotho had hit the upright.
Richard Ngoma was voted man of the match in a game Morgan Botha impressed at the hear of the Zambian defense.
Earlier in the day, South Africa were runaway winners over Mozambique who they thumped 4 – 1 to lead Group B ahead of Zambia on goal difference.
Today’s results sets up a winner takes all clash between Zambia and South Africa in the final pool match on Tuesday.
Only the top team in each pool and the best placed runner-up advance to the semifinals, where they will have the chance to lift the trophy and qualify for the 2019 African Under-17 Championships in Tanzania next year.
ZAMBIA XI v LESOTHO
(1) Phillip Malunga, (2) Billy Maipenzi, (4) Morgan Botha, (5) Vincent Chate, (6) Bernard Bewalya, (9) Enock Sakala, (10) Richard Ngoma, (13) Lasmond Phiri, (14) Alex Mwiinga Miyanda, (15) Benson Simwanda, (19) Vincent Kalinda
SUBSTITUTES
(16) Iford Mwale, (3) Lackson Tembo, (8) Kelvin Mwanza, (11) Toffee Musariri, (12) Peter Chikola, (18) Bisalom Mwanza, (20) Collins Tembo , (17) Daniel Tembo
Since the departure of king kalu things has fallen apart. There is no more junior development in zambia.
I advise faz to keep this team intact even if they lose or win. Maintain the coaches they should graduate with these you lads. It pays and this was done before. The class of 2015 failed to qualify at under 17 and the team was kept intact and they later qualified for the under 20 tournament. Therefore this is not an experiment. The current under twenty team had no foundation. No need to blame coaches. Faz is responsible for this mess. The current under 17 boys they alot of potential and they demonstrated that today. If you invest in these young start next qualification will be an easy asaignment.