Junior Chipolopolo, South Africa to Lock Horns In SADC Zone VI Final

Zambia Under-17 beat Lesotho 3-1 on post-match penalties to set up a thrilling encounter against South Africa on Sunday in the final of the SADC Zone VI games.

The win means that Zambia has got both the boys and girls teams in final after Albert Kachinga’s side stunned favourites South Africa yesterday. The Zambia women under-20 will play Zimbabwe.

Back to the match at Nkoloma Stadium, Zambia got a rude shock when they discovered that Lesotho weren’t push overs as expected and were comfortable on the ball.It was like whatever Zambia could do, ‘we could do.’

In the first half, it was an even affair but after the break, Zambia enjoyed more of ball possession but that meant leaving spaces at the back had Lesotho being clinical enough, they could have capitalised as they were a threat at the back.

The best chance though fell to Zambia but substitute Kingsley Mukuka from Kasama saw his header from close range acrobatically saved by goalkeeper Thabiso Lichaba.

The match went to extra time after it finished goalless in normal regulation time but still there was no sign of goal and it had to be decided on penalties.

Just like Kennedy Mweene, goalkeeper Mangani Banda, who was the captain on the day in the absence of the injured Langson Mbewe was the hero after he saved three spot kicks as Zambia won 3-1.

Chibuye T. Mulilo was the only one who missed but thanks to Timothy Sakala, George Mandu and Mukuka, Zambia advanced to the successive final and booked a place against South Africa. The two sides met earlier in the tournament in a goalless stalemate though the Amajimbos missed a penalty.