U20 through to Cosafa semis
First half goals from Benson Kolala and Prince Mumba’s were enough to see the Zambia Under-20 men’s national team through to the semifinals of the Mopani Cosafa tournament with a 2-0 win over Congo DR at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe this afternoon.
It was Congo DR who were the quickest to settle as they passed the ball around with confidence while causing Charles Bwale’s men plenty of nervous moments in defense.
But it was the hosts who took the lead somewhat against the run of play in 17th minute when midfielder Kolala met a Lameck Banda cross with a beautiful volleyball that gave the Congo DR goalkeeper no chance.
The Junior Chipolipolo’s play improved after Kolala’s goal and they wasted no time in doubling their lead with a goal of real quality in the 24th minute.
A lovely interchange of passes between Edward Chilufya and Lameck Banda resulted in the latter squaring the ball to Mumba who kept his composure to fire home his third of the tournament from close range.
Congo DR piled pressure on the Zambian defence towards the end of the first half but they failed to make the most of the flurry of freekicks the home side kept giving away in dangerous areas.
In the second half, Lameck Banda hammered a thunderbolt from long range but the Congo DR goalie parried it for a corner in the 50th minute. Banda, however, was withdrawn for Mwiya Malumo in the 63rd minute following an injury.
In the 75th minute, Klings Kangwa was withdrawn for Clinton Mabula but the substitution added little value as the game ended 2-0.
The 2016 champions, who relinquished their crown in the group stage as hosts in 2017 in Kitwe, have now collect two victories on the trot in Group A and are on maximum six points heading into their final game against Mozambique on December 8.
Meanwhile, Mozambique are second on 4 points following a 1-1 draw with Malawi just 24 hours after they beat DR Congo 1-0 at Shinde Stadium in Mufulira.
DR Congo and Malawi are out of the semifinal race from Group A on zero and one point from two games respectively.