Saturday, November 2, 2024

Cosafa U20: Zambia bow out with face saving win over Swaziland

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)

 

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16 Comments

  1. I wonder why useless Kamanga removed Chambeshi. Numba will destroy under 20. Bring back Beston to fix this mess. This is ridiculous.

    • infact Numba has already destroyed u-20. Just a few month ago we were african powerhouse at u-20 level and now we fail to win the cup let alone getting out of group phase at home for that matter. The level of play is pathetic. No coordination, nothing. Please fire Number and bring back Beston Chambeshi. This team can not play with any West African team at all.

    • Even Chambeshi was insulted by the same people on this site! please just watch and give him some chance……. Always retrogressive and negative! Zambians!!!!!!

      • @ TRUTH – SELENIKO TWIKALE my thoughts exactly, there were many people insulting Beston on this very site even after all his achievements they called him names when he lost to Italy.

  2. The previous U20 players were tested and regular players in the League compared to this crop of players, so the comparison cannot stand. You can imagine a more tested player like Luchanga found it difficult to gain a starting lineup!

  3. Bloggers on this site hv reflected a deep seated dullness. No suprise at all when u consider the leakage infested education systeam. We won Cosafa under 17 with same team; nobody in his right frame of mind would expect the boys to remain in team,graduation to U20 is the natural step up.

  4. I feel this was a good move to start grooming the under 17 for the qualifiers next year coz we need to have an even better squad to defend the under 20 title starting next year. We have won the cosafa u20 countless times, time to aim higher and to focus a bit longer. West Africans are football powerhouse coz of such focus. We need to be participating in every under 20 afcon.

    • I don’t know what’s the problem with that. Discarting the whole u-20 and replacing them with the new kids u-17 is not the way to build and continue with success.

  5. For me what has happened to our under 20 in this tournament is good. This team was already big headed coming into this tournament and under rating everyone, having won the COSAFA under 17 and hosting the COSAFA under 20, and having won the previous 3 Under 20 tournaments.

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