U20 COSAFA: Zambia qualify to the final

By Wilson Mulinda

The Under 20 Chipolopolo Boys have qualified to the final of the ongoing COSAFA Championship after overcoming Zimbabwe 6 goals to 5 on penalties, following a 2 all draw after 90 minutes.

The Junior Chipolopolo have subsequently qualified to next year’s under 20 AFCON after finishing in the top two.

Winger EMMANUEL MWANZA opened the scoring for the Chipolopolo with only 7 minutes played when he converted a rebounded shot.

Captain DAVID SIMUKONDA doubled the lead in the 25th minute when he curled into the top corner from a PATRICK SIMWINGA assist going to halftime.

PRINCE NDHLOVU leveled for Zimbabwe in the second half with quick fire goals midway into the second half.

And when the match went to penalties, the Junior Chipolopolo needed Keeper LEVISON BANDA to save NDHLOVU’s spot kick after AARON PHIRI missed Zambia’s first.

And SHAWN MZINDE struck his spot kick on to the cross bar to send Zambia to the final.

Speaking after the match, Under 20 Coach BOYD MULWANDA said there is no time for rest and the focus immediately shifts to the final.

And Zimbabwe Coach SIMON MARANGE said the defeat was hard to take after coming from 2 down.

The Football Association of Zambia -FAZ- has congratulated the under-20 boys for qualifying to the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations championship.

FAZ President ANDREW KAMANGA says the back-to-back qualification for the under-20 boys is a moment of pride for the association and the national at large.