The Zambia U20 national team has exited the on-going Mopani Copper Mines Cosafa U20 championship with some pride after they managed to beat Swaziland 2 – 0 in the final match of group A.
Numba Mumamba made up to four changes to the squad as he looked to pick his first win in the tournament and the changes helped as a brace from Francesco Mwepu settled the game.
It looked to be business as usual as the Zambian lads who had no registered a goal this far went into the break tied at 0 – 0 with their best moment coming in first half injury time when Sweden based Edward Chilufya’s long range shot came off the upright.
After the restart, Zambia’s pressure on Swaziland paid off as young brother to Austria based Enock ‘Computer’ Mwepu headed home a Prince Mumba corner in the 50th minute.
Mwepu scored his second in the referee’s optional time to give Zambia maximum points to move to four points on the log.
The win was not good enough to see Zambia sail through to the semi finals having lost 2 – 0 to Uganda and drawing 0 – 0 with Malawi.
Numba’s team which has been graduated from the U17 will now focus on the U20 Africa Cup qualifiers which start next year.
In the other group A fixture, guest team Uganda drew 1 – 1 with Malawi to sail through to the semi finals.
Malawi went ahead in the 70th minute with a goal from F. Mandinga and looked set to book a place in the last four.
But Uganda scored in the 81st minute to level matters and advance ahead of Malawi on goal difference.
Zambia XI Vs Swaziland (Nkana Stadium)
Prince Bwalya (1), Prince Mumba (3), Jonathan Kapelembe (4), Justin Mwanza (6), Martin Njobvu (L. Banda), Edward Chilufya (C. Lubula), Benson Kolala (12), Francesco Mwepu (14), Godfrey Chanda (15), Mumba Muma (17), Ngosa Sunzu (19)