Zambia U20 national team booked their place in the semifinals of the ongoing COSAFA U20 Youth Championships following a 2-1 win over Malawi on Monday afternoon.
Zambia struggled to get into their stride with Malawi offering them their real test of the tournament. Jimmy Mukeya returned from injury and partnered Musonda Kalale and Thomas ‘YAYA’ Zulu who made their start in midfield.
With Patrick Gondwe and Chanda Mukuka rested the Junior Copper Bullets failed to find their usual rhythm with a lot of mistakes being made in the final third, Jonathan Munalula and Francisco Mwepu making some poor decisions.
Zambia finally got their break, Five minutes to half time as Elliott Kampukesa was brought down inside the box and Golden Mafwenta stepped up and dispatched it off with easy to put the hosts in the lead and send the sizable crowd at Nkoloma Stadium into a frenzy.
In the second half, Malawi started to look more dangerous with Zambia needing Flobby Mashakalati to keep their one-nil lead intact. Kafue Celtic forward Francisco Mwepu doubled the in the 69th minute after unleashing a venomous strike on the edge of the box after receiving a well-timed pass from Kampukesa.
Malawi, however, pulled one back two minutes later through Francisco Madinga who also scored a beauty from the edge of the box leaving Mashakalati with no chance.
Coach Osward Mutapa made changes in the second half with Ricky Banda replacing Mwepu, Golden Mashata taking the place of Mukeya and Vincent Coming on to play his first match of the tournament replacing injured Musonda Kalale.
Zambia held on to win the match 2-1 to set up a semifinal crunchy encounter against free-scoring Angola.
Zambia Starting line up: Flobby Mashakalati, John Chishimba, Justin Mwanza, Crawford Mwaba, Golden Mafwenta, Musonda Kalale, Thomas Zulu, Jimmy Mukeya, Elliott Kampukesa, Jonathan Munalula, Francisco Mwepu
Bench: Prince Bwalya, Prince Mumba, Vincent Chate, Golden Mashata, Chanda Mukuka, Patrick Gondwe, Muma Mumba, Issah Kazembe, Ricky Banda.
Malawi starting line up: Elias Missi, Innocent Shema, Charles Nkhoma, Blessings Mpokera, Hadji Wali, Clement Ndoyo, Francisco Madinga, Henry Chiwaya, Lenjesi Nkhoma, Wise Mpinganjira, Aziz Mwakifuna.
Bench: Believe June, Chikondi Kamanga, Alick Lungu, Chinsinsi Maonga, David Meleka, Josephy Balakasi, Emmanuel Kanthiti, Kingsley Kuwali, Patrick Mwaungulu.
