Cosafa U20: Zambia, Mozambique rivalry ends in a draw

Mozambique 1 – 1 Zambia

The Zambia under-20 national soccer team progressed to the semi finals of the 2018 MOPANI Copper Mines COSAFA Under-20 Championships which is being played on the Copperbelt in Zambia as Group A winners.

Zambia gave away a first half lead courtesy of skipper Edward Chilufya who connected a beautifully cross from British based Mwiya Mulumo but Mozambique equalized in the seconf half through captain Kamo-Kamo Cumbane to hand the Junior Black Mambas of Mozambique a possible qualification to the next round.

Bwale made one change to the staring XI bringing in British based Mwiya Malumo for Klings Kangwa and the change paid off as Malumo provided the assist for Chilufya in the 13th minute for the opener.

Zambia dominated the first half with glimpse of glamour from Lameck Banda and Chilufya but it was the Zambian goal keeper Bradley Mweene, nephew Chipolopolo number Kennedy Mweene who erred to cause a goal-mouth scramble for Mozambique to eventually poke the ball in the back of the net through Cumbane.

Zambia face Zimbabwe in the next game after finishing top of the group on 7 points. Mozambique finish the group stage on 5 points and now face an anxious wait to see if they will finish as the best runner-up and meet South Africa in the semifinals.

They will do so unless Angola beat Zimbabwe by two clear goals, or get a single goal win but score three or more goals.

In the other game in Group A, Central African guest nation DR Congo claimed a consolation 3-1 victory over Malawi despite finishing the game with nine players.

Defending champions South Africa sealed their place in the semifinals of the tournament with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Eswatini in their Group B clash in Kitwe on Saturday.

The victory means South Africa finish the three-team pool with a full haul of six points, with nine goals scored and none conceded.

MOZAMBIQUE STARTING XI

12. Julio Matavele, 2. Fidel Sousa, 7. Adamo Cassimo Alifa, 10. Camo Camo Cumbane ©, 11. Luis Vasco Sitoe, 15. Martinho Alberto, 16. Ali Abudo Zacarius, 17. Jeremias Salda Nhanbire, 18. Jose Antonio Lampiao, 19. Shelton Israel, 20. Geny Cipriano Catamo

SUBSTITUTES

ZAMBIA STARTING XI

1. Bradley Mweene, 2. Andrew Phiri, 3. Prince Mumba, 4. Gideon Miyanda, 5. Kingsley Hakwiya, 6. Oliver Lumbiya, 10. Lameck Banda (Emmanuel Mwiinde), 12. Benson Kolala, 13, Christopher Katongo, 14. Edward Chilufya ©, 18. Mwiya Malumo

SUBSTITUTES
7. Clinton Lubula, 8. Chanda Mukuka, 9. James Chilimina, 15. Thomas Zulu, 16. Prince Bwalya, 19. Emmanuel Mwiinde, 20. Patrick Gondwe, 1. 17, Klings Kangwa