Zambia U-17 men settle for silver
Chansa Kunda-Zambia has settled for silver at the 2021 COSAFA U17 Youth Championship after losing 2-1 to Angola in the final.
The Junior Chipolopolo who were looking to replicate the crowned COSAFA girls U-17 champions, saw the trophy slip through their hands after conceding a late goal in the second half.
The game started on a high pitch as both teams were determined to wrestle for gold from the onset.
Angola scored the opening goal in the 11th minute through LUIS EUSEBIO while Zambia was swift to respond through MARCEL ZIMBA in the 14th minute to make it one all at half time.
With the first half tightly contested, the second stanza brought a different feel to the match as both teams pressed to take the lead.
Either sides missed numerous chances but it was Angola who had more than 10 corner kicks in the encounter that managed to score their winning goal in similar fashion in 89th minute to make it 2-1.
LUIS CAICA EUSEBIO score the second as Zambia’s hope of winning the title after finishing runners up to South Africa in the last edition were shattered.
With a 2-1 score line, Angola won gold in the boys football at the ongoing region five games in Maseru – Lesotho.
And after watching his boys break down in the wake of the 2-1 defeat U-17 coach GEORGE CHILUFYA hailed the team for winning sliver at the games.
CHILUFYA said the players worked hard in the encounter despite the tight schedule in which the games have been played.
He has however lamented that most teams used over aged players which was a disadvantage for other teams that played eligible candidates.
Zambia U-17 Captain JOSEPH SABOBO BANDA has bagged two awards as he was voted player of the tournament.
BANDA who scored five goals in 3 games has been crowned top scorer of the tournament, an award he jointly shares with MASAMBIRO KAALU of Malawi who also finished on five goals.
DOMINGOS DA SIVA SILVA of Angola was awarded goalkeeper of the tournament while Eswatini won the Fairplay Award.
