Zambia crowned 2017U20 AFCON champions •Guinea claim bronze News

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Zambia crowned 2017U20 AFCON champions •Guinea claim bronze

By Daily Sports on March 13, 2017

Zambia beat Senegal 2-0 in the final on Sunday in Lusaka to be crowned champions of the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Zambia 2017.

First half goals from Patson Daka and Edward Chilufya was all the Junior Chipolopolo needed to claim their first ever title in the history of the biennial competition.

Besides being the second Southern African country after Angola (in 2001) to be crowned champions, Zambia’s feat makes them the fourth host to claim the ultimate after Morocco (1997), Ghana (1999) and Congo (2007).

Zambia was the only team in the competition to win all matches and they capped their campaign in grand style with the title in hand.

Watched by a full house at the 50,000-capacity Heroes National Stadium in the capital, Lusaka, including President of the country, Edgar Lungu, the Junior Chipolopolo ensured the fans left the stadium the happiest.

Senegal really tested the Zambians but their efforts were little enough to save them from a successive final defeat.

‘Les Lionceaux’ lost 0-1 to Nigeria in the 2015 final on home soil.

It was the Senegalese who started on a positive note and on seven minutes, Ibrahima Niane tested Zambia goalie Mangani Banda with a low shot, which Banda collected calmly.

On the quarter-hour mark, Fashion Sakala was gifted with Zambia’s first major chance. He outwitted his marker but his angled shot missed target by inches.

Two minutes later, the stadium erupted as Daka gave the Junior Chipolopolo the lead capitalising on a blunder by Senegal goalie Lamine Sarr. Sarr failed to make a firm grab of Sakala’s seemingly harmless shot and Daka who was lurking around slotted home to send the over 50,000 fans into a frenzy mood.

The goal brought out the best of ‘Les Lionceaux’ who stepped up their game in search of the equaliser. However, it was Zambia who managed to score on 34 minutes from yet another mistake by Sarr. The goalie in his bid to clear his lines saw his shot come off the body of Chilufya as the ball headed straight into his own net.

Senegal were the better team in the second half dominating in possession and pinning the Zambians to their half with Niane and Aliou Badji coming close a couple of times.

Midway, the host almost scored the third following a one-two between Enock Mwepu and Sakala that saw Daka at the receiving end. Daka lobbed past onrushing Sarr only for Senegal captain Mamadou Diarra to clear the ball off the line to his side’s relief.

The final minutes saw the Zambians defence kept boiling following raids by the Senegal attack, however they held on to claim victory.

Earlier, Katlego Mohamme’s own goal and Naby Bangoura’s penalty ensured Guinea finished third at the 2017 U20 AFCON after beating South Africa 2-1 at the National Heroes Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Amajita’s only goal came through Liam Jordan in the first half as they bagged the fourth spot at the tournament in Zambia.

As early as the first minute, Amajita dictated the terms as Kobamelo Kodisang nearly opened the scoreline only to see his shot saved by goalkeeper Moussa Camara.

However, in the fifth minute the South Africans broke the deadlock through Jordan who showed great composure in the box when he was set up from the midfield.

Despite their lead, Thabo Senong’s men conceded a silly own goal two minutes later when Mohamme tried to header back his keeper, Sanele Tshabalala, who did not anticipate the pass and it easily beat him handing Guinea a goal, 1-1.

The Junior Syli Nationale combined well in the middle of the park in Amajita’s half, but Morlaye Sylla failed to hit the target from a well drilled shot in the 29th minute.

In the 38th minute, Itumeleng Shopane was set up by Grant Margeman, but the Kaizer Chiefs striker was denied by Camara from close range.

It was 1-1 at the break.

With less than 30 minutes to go, Tshabalala produced a fine save to deny the Guinean forward in the 63rd minute from a distance.

Alseny Soumah came close to bagging the lead in the 69th minute when he found himself unmarked in the box, but his effort went wide of the target.

With seven minutes to go, Tercious Malepe committed a foul in the box and striker Bangoura converted from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 to Guinea.

Amajita wasted a beautiful chance when Thendo Mukumela’s free header sailed over the cross bar in the injury time as the South Africans finish at number four.

•Sourced from Cafonline and mtnfootball.com. Photo shows Zambia’s players celebrating their 2017 U20 AFCON triumph . . . yesterday.

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 13, 2017