Amajita humiliate Junior Chipolopolo

Zambia ended their ill-fated CAF Under-20 African Youth Championship campaign in Dakar, Senegal with a whimper as they were treated to a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of perennial rivals South Africa in a one-sided match on Sunday.

Tyroane Sandows scored a memorable hat-trick while Dumisani Zuma weighed in with two goals as Amajita condemned the Junior Chipolopolo to a comprehensive defeat in a COSAFA derby which had little bearing to the tournament after both teams were knocked out earlier on.

After intense opening exchanges and under pressure from South Africa, Boyd Mkandawire got a yellow card for a crunch tackle on overlapping defender Kabelo Seriba who had to seek some medical attention.

With absolutely nothing to play for, it was an open game with lots of attacking intent with the match swinging from one end to the other.

Dumisani Zuma then put Amajita ahead with a delicate finish in the 22nd minute after some exciting inter-changing passes; a great goal by all accounts.

Pule Maraisane then pushed a good pass just wide of the on-rushing Tshidiso Monamodi in the 28th minute as the flowing game continued to create chances galore.

Just at the time when South Africa was applying pressure Kabelo Seriba inadvertently made a horrendous error, heading past his own keeper on the 30th minute with little pressure from the Zambian attack. The hard-working Zuma could straight away have restored South Africa’s lead seconds later from a counter attack but Zambian goalkeeper Mangani Banda did well to push his effort for a corner kick.

Sandows made it 2-1 with a subtle finish following a cross by Aubrey Modiba in 60th minute.

Zuma completed his double a few minutes later with a sublime finish to make it 3-1 as South Africa threatened to run riot. The third goal was down to some solo running by Sandows whose combination with Zuma might be one to watch in the future.

Sandows scored his second goal when South Africa easily curved the Zambia defence open to make it 4-1 and completed his hat-trick with a few minutes to go to fulltime with another good finish.

Zambia got the consolation second goal through Charles Zulu to make the final score 5-2 in referee’s optional time.

Meanwhile, Zambia Coach, Hector Chilombo admitted that Zambia took time to settle in this evening’s match and allowed their opponents, South Africa to capitalise on the Junior Chipolopolo’s shortcomings.

Speaking to press men at Senghor Stadium after the match, Chilombo said South Africa utilised their chances better and managed to catch Zambia on counter attacks which they positively executed.

Stand in captain, Spencer Sautu said it is very devastating to lose all the three games at this tournament.