Defending champions Zambia have bowed out of the 2013 COSAFA Under-20 Youth Championships after a 1-0 loss to South Africa on Saturday. It means that Young Chipolopolo have taken just a single point from their opening two matches in Group C and cannot finish on top of the pool, ending a run of three titles in the regional showpiece tournament.
According to the report on the official Cosafa website , a second half goal from Nhlakanipho Ntuli settled the tie in Amajita’s favour, a victory they deserved on the balance of play. Zambia’s cause was not helped when Ronald Chabwe was giving his marching orders with 10 minutes remaining.
South Africa would have been crowned pool winners already had Namibia not secured a last-gasp victory over Seychelles to stay in the hunt. Dieter Constance gave the island nation the lead on the half-hour mark, which was the way it remained until halftime.
It looked as though Seychelles would hold on for a famous win until Brandon Goagoseb curled in an excellent free-kick three minutes from time to level matters. And two minutes later the Young Brave Warriors grabbed the lead as Ambrosius Amseb turned the ball home to give Namibia the three points and break Seychelles hearts. The islanders join Zambia with no chance to make the Last 4 as they prepare to face-off in a dead-rubber final group game on Tuesday.
South Africa will need just a draw against Namibia to make sure they finish top of the pool when those two sides meet in a group-decider, also on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe took a major step towards the semifinals when they defeated Botswana 3-0 in Group D to head that pool by three points from their rivals. Goals from Carlos Rusere, Liberty Chakoroma and Walter Musona sealed the comfortable win for the Young Warriors.
They will now face Mozambique in a cross-over game with Group B on Monday, where a point would assure them of top spot in the pool. Botswana will have their work cut out against Group B leaders Angola. Angola took over top spot in Group B with a 3-1 victory over Mozambique in Maseru. Manuel Afonso scored a brace of goals and Joao de Oliveira the other as those two now head the tournament’s goal-scorers list with four each. Luis Miquissone had equalised for Mozambique, but the Angolans proved too strong.
Confederation of African Football News
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