The TotalEnergies AFCON U20 Egypt 2023 COSAFA Qualifiers got off to a flying start at the Somhlolo Stadium in Mbabane as Zambia cruised past Mauritius with a comfortable 3-0 in the 12h00 kick off which was followed by a highly entertaining 2-1 victory by Eswatini over Botswana.
A second-half brace by substitute Rickson Ng’ambi after a first half converted penalty by Chipyoka Songa ensured Zambia was enough to see the Zambians go top of group A and make a strong statement of intent in the competition.
It was surprisingly Mauritius who put the former champions on the backfoot in the opening minutes after a series of attacks in search of an early goal to unsettle their opponents.
The islanders squandered a glorious opportunity to take the lead in the 6th minute when a hospital pass by Gift Mphande was intercepted by the on-rushing Stanley Conlet, who’s shot was directed straight at the Zambian shot-stopper, Levison Banda.
Zambia eventually found their rhythm and were duly rewarded for their relentless attacks when a well threaded ball for Derrick Bulaya saw him through on goal before he was fouled by the keeper, Talha Badulla, for the skipper, Songa to convert from the spot in the 20th minute.
Zambia could have doubled their lead in the 26th minute after a beautifully struck curler by the troublesome Joseph Banda was saved by a fully stretched Badulla.
The shot-stopper had to come to the rescue minutes later, after Banda found himself through on goal but failed to beat Badulla’s fully stretched hand.
Coming into the second stanza, substitute Ah Fock could have levelled matters after doing well to find space in the box but sailed his shot over the bar in the 50th minute.
The Zambians regained control of the game and found the second when Amon Chulu skillfully went past two defenders to thread a ball for substitute, Rickson Ng’ambi who slotted home to put the game beyond reach for Mauritius in the 81st
Ng’ambi nailed the final nail in the coffin in the 90th minute after connecting well with a cross by Lombe Mutale to make it 3-0 to the Zambians.
