Zambia knocked out despite win

Emmanuel Mwanza of Zambia scores the equalizer and his second goal during the 2023 Under 17 African Cup of Nations match between South Africa and Zambia held at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine, Algeria on 03 May 2023 © Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

The Zambia U17 Men’s National Team were on Saturday night eliminated in the group stage of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Algeria 2023 despite a hard-fought 2-1 win over Morocco in Group B.

This was after neighbours South Africa maintained third position in the group after losing 3-2 to Nigeria in the other match played at Mohamed Hamlaoui stadium in Constantine.

Both South Africa and Zambia finished the group on three points but the former got third position thanks to the head-to-head rule. Amajimbos beat the Junior Chipolopolo 3-2 in the second group tie played on 3 May at the Mohamed Hamlaoui stadium in Constantine.

At the 19 Mai 1956 stadium in Annaba, Ian Bakala’s side were behind as early as the 18th minute when Zakaria Ouazane put Morocco ahead inside the box from a well-timed pass by Mohamed Kebdani.

Samson Malaya was one of the three players brought in the game at the start of the second half and the midfielder justified his introduction by levelling matters 17 minutes from time.

Zambia continued to dominate the North Africans with Aaron Simpasa and Emmanuel Mwanza constantly troubling their opponents backline and with five minutes to the end of the match, Marcel Zimba was tripped by Kebdani and Merveil Vendafara pointed to the spot.

Man of the match Emmanuel Mwanza sealed the win two minutes from time when he sent Hamza Jlid the wrong way from the spot. It was Mwanza’s third goal in as many matches.

Notwithstanding their defeat, Morocco were joined by Nigeria in the quarter-finals while South Africa will hope the Group C match involving Burkina Faso and Cameroon goes in their favour to stand a chance of qualifying to the last eight as one of the two best third-placed team.

-FAZ