The Junior Chipolopolo beat South Africa thanks to a Kelvin Phiri second half strike.
After a goalless first half Phiri came off the bench to score for Zambia on the hour mark.
It was revenge for Zambia after South Africa had beaten them in the final of the COSAFA Girls’ Under-17 Championship played earlier in the day as it was honours shared between the two in the football competitions that were played as part of the Region 5 Games Lilongwe 2022.
Phiri bundled the ball over the line on the hour mark to help his side to the Boys’ trophy and a second victory in the competition over the South Africans after they beat them by the same scoreline in the group stages.
It is third time lucky for Zambia after they had to be content with a silver medal in 2020 and 2021.
By reaching the final, both sides qualify for the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON Algeria 2023 that will be played in April, keeping them potentially on course for a place in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Peru later next year.Â
Earlier, Malawi picked up the bronze medal in the Boys’ competition with a thumping 5-2 win over Botswana.
Webster Mzunda scored a hattrick as the hosts claimed the handsome victory, though they were pushed by Botswana until the very end.
South Africa striker Siyabonga Mabena claimed both the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards for his nine goals in Lilongwe, while compatriot Gennaro Johnson won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper. Botswana claimed the Fair Play award.
[Cosafa]
