The Zambia U20 national soccer team has ended the group phase of the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup tournament with a loss to South American representatives Costa Rica.
In an exciting match that saw Costa Rica awarded two penalties, Zambia hit the post two times and a goal by Patson Daka reversed by Video assistant referees, Zambia will still feel they gave a good shot at the game as they qualified to the round of 16 as group leaders.
With three changes made for the game Benson Muchindu slotted in for suspended skipper Solomon Sakala partnering Moses Nyondo while Patson Daka took his usual position upfront ahead of Conlyde Luchanga.
It was in midfield where there was a shift in positioning as Ngosa Sunzu played the be midfield while Boyd Musonda played alongside him but was given ore licence to venture forward alongside Enock Mwepu.
Zambia were the first to come close when a well worked from the left daw Fashion Sakala lay the ball for Ngosa Sunzu whose shot was parried on to the crossbar by the keeper in the 9th minute.
Costa Rica were attacking Zambia with some very good runs from deep in the midfield and an attempt by Moses Nyondo to stop an attacker in the box saw him beaten to the ball as he cluttered on to the player for the referee to point to the spot.
Daly stepped to take the spot kick but Mangani saved it with the rebound falling to the attacker who calmly controlled and slotted the ball home before the Zambian defense could recover in the 15th minute.
Zambia continued to surge forward but without much success at change the scoreline.
Chambeshi made a change after he break bringing in Emmanuel Banda for Musonda in the 51st minute.
With the midfield genius pulling the strings now, Zambia was attacking with wave after wave with Daka coming very close in the 64th minute when Banda intelligently released Sakala on the left whose cross found the striker but he missed the target.
Two minutes later, another break into the box saw Sunzu bring down the attacker for a penalty which they failed to convert after it came off the post with Mangani saving a shot from the rebound in the 66th minute.
Zambia finally got a goal in the 86th minute which the referee awarded after Emmanuel Banda had seen his curved shot come off the post with Daka firing home.
A minute later, the video assistant referees communicated to the centre man that Daka was offside when the initial ball was shot into the box by Banda.
The referee reversed his decision and Costa Rica went on to hold on to a victory that gives a chance to qualify as one of the best third placed teams.
Zambia will now fly back to Jeju for he knockout match on 31 May against Germany or the group F third placed team.
Zambia XI:
Mangani Banda (1), Moses Nyondo (2), Prosper Chiluya (3), Boston Muchindu (6), Fashion Sakala (10), Enock Mwepu (Harrison Chisala), Shemmy Mayembe (13), Edward Chilufya (Siame Musonda), Ngosa Sunzu 19, Patson Daka (20), Boyd Musonda (Emmanuel Banda).
That game was a 1 to 1 draw. If it was an offside why was it recorded? They to talk about it.
Need to sort out defence and stop giving silly goals
Its hard to position Sunzu, Mwepu, Emmanuel, those are super exiting players.
Muchindu played well, but Boyd should have partnered Solid-Nyondo.
sunzu my 6, that boy is super good.
Mangani naine umwaiche alebako serious.
All this time I have withheld myself from talking about the technical setup of the team BUT am convinced that Boyd Musonda struggled to get going in this game, I see now why people have called him out lately…the boy has a lot behind his beat and am sure he will come through…
It’s at the knock out stage that things start and we have been beaten at the last 16 twice in the U20 WC by two good sides, Nigeria and Brazil (I believe)…three times is where Chipolopolo stops the bus…no more mistakes come Germany or whomsoever!
Genuine effort otherwise. Team created some chances. Sunzu should learn to be lethal in this industry. The whole team. Blessed.
The Zambian lads walked onto the pitch as if they had already won the match(over confident without respect for the opposition). this was the same attitude in the first half against Iran. if this attitude is not checked, the next game will be our last at this tournament.
Yes guys please stop allowing early goals please help us guys we need the changes from you guys you are doing very well us as Zambian supporters we are expecting you brother’s to be world champion we love you guys be confident f sakala ,p daka ,E chilufya ,E mwpu ,B musonda and defenders twfweni please help us may. Jehovah God guide you with holly spirit
There was no need to use Enoch Mwepu, Fashion Sakala and Patson Daka. we had literally nothing to gain from this match and a lot to lose.
These players should have been rested considering we had already qualified. these players should have been rested to save them from injuries, and cards and also to give them more time to re-energise.
Mwepu is now on a yellow and may miss those future games where winning is vital.
Anyway the coach knows better, and all in all we are the group leaders and thanks boys for an entertaining game.
God Bless Us as we go into the knock out phase.
Do yellow cards carry over to the next round?
A negative display call it what you like impacts heavily on the progress of the team for me this loss is the most painful than the loss in the knockout stages…. all the same best wishes boys!!!
Do Yellow card’s carry over to the next round?
Game well played.conglatz boys n work on de next game.ts our tym as wel.that sunzu playd wel kalunga shud av playd in that game
Good observation Kasama boy! Good point Soccerguru. I didn’t expect you to be sober but maybe for now! Anyway, I know, you lose some, you win some but now the next stage is crucial! No time to relax! If Malawi did it, we can “did” it too! Go Zambia, go!
Although they were not at their best, the boys did good! the penalty call against them was a very bad call! The referee made an error! Undeserved goal! Go Zambia, go!
all the Best boy’s
sunzu should start against germany nt boyd musonda
The entire first 11 should have been resting today….
good luck.
Good observations guys. I would like to agree with @Anita we seemed to be over confident and thought we would beat the CR. We need to be more focused and some one to speak to the boys to respect opponents.
Again we started very slow. Same against Portugal we could have conceded 2 goals in the first half just that Portuguese strikers were blunt. Iran game again we started badly. The only positive is that ability of the team upfront. We always attacking. We were all over the CR.
The ref was a bit biased he gave the Costa Ricanns penalties for soft fouls. I bet you if CR had scored the goal Zambia scored they would have NO review. Sunzu played well in midfield. The coach should give him a chance next game.
Sunzu is more attack minded compared to Body who is mostly an enforcer in the middle. Sunzu breaks up play and but also is a good passer of the ball. He gives more options going forward. SUNZU > B.MUSONDA
We will play 3rd placed team in either Group A,B,F. Argentina who are 3rd in Group A might not make it for 3rd place as they have maximum of 3 points. Already the are 3 teams on 4 points. Most likely we play Germany 3rd in Group B or 3rd in Group F. Senegal, Ecuador even Saudi Arabia any one of these teams will finish 3rd in Group F.
u canot concede 3 penalties in 2 games. it means you dont know how to defend. we lack tactical superiority and the abillity to play on the break
Right, we look clumsy at the back and looks like everyone now knows that we are suspects at defense with an exception of Chiluya. That boy is solid.
chambeshi be careful, the were you are selecting players, team is known
Stick to “the” team.
ZAMBI vs ARGENTINA for a place in the QF
ARGENTINA VS ZAMBIA
Am ok with the result.Beston should have made even more changes to the team.See how impressive Ngosa was.Not as wasteful as Boyd.Depending on whether we are taking a cautious approach or all out attack he can now choose between the two