Zambia Under-17 on Wednesday lost 5-4 on post-match penalties to their Zimbabwean opponents in the semifinals of the Cosafa Under-17 Championships that comes to a close on Saturday in Windhoek, Namibia.
Both sides were level at 1-1 at fulltime before the match was decided via penalty kicks.
Zambia will face Malawi for bronze tomorrow after the latter lost 1-0 to defending champions South Africa thanks to a 47th minute goal from Lebogang Moloto.
South Africa and Zimbabwe face-off in the final on Saturday.
Zambia and Zimbabwe were level at 0-0 going into the break and well up until the 66th minute when the latter took the lead six minutes from the spot.
Archiford Gutu stepped up to stroke the ball home pasted substitute goalkeeper Allen Chibwe of Konkola Blades to give Zimbabwe the lead.
Chibwe was a 16th minute replacement for injured first goalkeeper Kelvin Musonda of Kabwe Warriors.
Wedson Nyirenda’s team equalized nine minutes later through Nkana striker Rabby Lwambula before the game headed into post-match penalties.
Friday’s 3rd and 4th place will be the second time Zambia and Malawi will be meeting in a space of less than 30 days.
Zambia drew 1-1 against Malawi in their opening Group B game last Saturday against whom they lost 1-0 and beat 4-2 in two friendly matches played in Lusaka on November 24 and 25.
The team is expected to leave Namibia this Sunday on a 36-hour drive from Windhoek to Lusaka.
hard luck, boys! always hard work to try and win a penalty shoot out. Very proud of you , all the same.
Why is it tha History in Zambian Soccer is always repeating its self? We don’t have even game plans to win the small competions. How else do you expect to perform at higher competitionns? Wake up FAZ or if you have failled give power to people who have the intrest of the game.