Malawi U-20 whacked by Zambia
The Malawi Under-20 national soccer team’s fate at the Cosafa Youth Championship was sealed yesterday when they lost 3-0 to Zambia in their last Group B encounter at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa.
Zambia surged ahead in the 25th minute courtesy of Chrispine Sakulanda’s shot from inside the box, according to updates posted on Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) website www.cosafa.com.
Two minutes later, the Junior Flames came close to drawing level but Franscisco Madinga blew his effort over the crossbar.
Malawi continued to pile pressure on their opponents and seven minutes later, Kennedy Kachimanga had his fabulous shot kept out by Zambia’s goalkeeper Mangani Banda.
Missing the services of their injured forward Peter Banda, the Junior Flames were blunt upfront.
Zambia led 1-0 at half time.
Zambia made a double substitution in the 61st minute, pulling out Enock Mwepu and Edward Chilufya for Harrison Chisala and Kenneth Kalunga, respectively.
In the 64th minute Zambia raided Malawi’s goal area through Harrison Chisala but goalkeeper Christopher Mikuwa stood firm to thwart his effort.
Pastson Daka netted the second for Zambia in the 74th minute before Fashion Sakala closed the scoresheet with only four minutes to full time.
Zambia top the group with six points while the Junior Flames are second with a point earned from their goalless draw against Zimbabwe who anchor the group due to an inferior goal difference.
According to Cosafa, The top two teams in Groups B and D after the second round of matches will play a third match as a crossover game between those two pools, to ensure that most competing sides gets to play three times.
The top team in Group B will play the second team in Group D and vice-versa. This means the Junior Flames will face winners of Group D in a match that will be of academic interest. n
