Zambia’s Junior Chipolopolo produced a spirited comeback to defeat England 3-2 in the Round of 32 of the Tier 2 competition at the ongoing FIFA U15 World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Wednesday.
Brian Kunsanama’s side showed remarkable resilience to overturn a two-goal deficit and eliminate the European side in an entertaining encounter played at Pitch 3B of the Hovsan Competition Complex.
England looked firmly in control after Tom McLaughlin and Ty Livesey found the back of the net to give their side a two-goal advantage.
However, Zambia refused to surrender, with Kafue Celtic striker Maxen Msimuko pulling a goal back to reduce the deficit to 2-1 before the break.
The Junior Chipolopolo carried that momentum into the second half, with Sporting Lusaka’s Samuel Musonda finding the equaliser to bring the contest level at 2-2.
Kafue Celtic’s Chrispine Katoba then completed the remarkable turnaround by scoring the winning goal to seal a memorable 3-2 victory for the young Zambians.
The result sends Zambia into the Round of 16 after a determined display that saw Kunsanama’s charges recover from two goals down to knock out England.
The Junior Chipolopolo will now await confirmation of their next opponents as their FIFA U15 World Cup campaign continues in Azerbaijan.
