Two days after Zambia’s 2019 U20 AFCON qualifying exit, their junior compatriots have also failed defend their COSAFA U17 crown consquentlely ending their quest for 2019 U17 AFCON qualification.
Zambia Under-17 blew away a 1-0 lead against South Africa to lose 2-1 in their final Group B decider at the tournament Mauritius is hosting from July 19 to 29.
South Africa qualify on 7 points but Zambia exit second in Group B on 4 points and have not amassed enough points to stay in contention for the best runners-up slot up for grabs.
Hosts Mauritius stay in that race on 6 points after finishing second in Group A but await the outcome of Wednesday’s Group C clash between 2nd placed Malawi and 3rd placed Swaziland who are tied on 3 points heading into their shadow playoff.
Meanwhile, Zambia took the lead in the 7th minute through Vincent Kalinda but South Africa replied five minutes later through Thando Buthelezi.
The two sides were deadlocked at 1-1 until the last ten mnutes of the match when the appropriately named Boitumelo Radiopane blessed South Africa with the winning goal.
South Africa match on to the semi-finals to face the best runners-up and stay on course in the battle for a record third COSAFA U17 title that will clinch them COSAFA’s sole qualifying place in the 2019 U17 AFCON final.
Zambia’s 2017 COSAFA U17 Cup win was their first one in the competition.
“If only HH had been the player coach Zambia could have won this one and the World Cup,” Larry Mweetwa.
Close national teams, PF government is not interested.
When did you ever see a PF minister at training camp or give motivation speech to players?
Who is PF minister of sports by-way?
@Sharon: You are at it again doubling the use of initials “HH” to either mean Hakainde Hichilema or Hichani Himonde.
I am sure this time you mean Hichani Himonde??? Please stop confusing bloggers because I know of some who are very short tempered as well as short sighted. They may start hurling insults at you.
@ C-General
# Sharon is a fuul, those two men you mentioned are older and one of them is not a footballer.
How can they participate in football? You have good advise to him ..BUT off the mark as he seems to be a cadres. He is one of the many empty tins roaming the streets of Lusaka
The retrogression of our age limit teams portends a bleak future for Chipolopolo. All strong national teams rely on very strong youth teams. Ba kamanga mulikuti?
Inconsistence
I had huge doubts in coaches in both teams
I have a little hope in Chipolopolo based on Sven’s statements.
I think he has a plan but I still feel he is salaula
Any way, they say that if you don’t plan to go somewhere you get nowhere
If Zambia fails to qualify for AFCON, the entire FAZ Executive should resign or be forced out.