Zambia retain Cosafa Under-20 title

Zambia celebrate their 2011 Cosafa Under-20 Championships victory

Zambia retained their Metropolitan Cosafa Under-20 Youth Championships title after a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Angola in the final played at the University of Botswana Stadium in Gaborone on Saturday.

The match looked destined for the lottery of a penalty shootout with the teams locked at 1-1 at fulltime, but the Young Chipolopolo found a winner in injury-time to seal their third consecutive win in this competition.

Angola gave a good account of themselves nevertheless and had deservedly taken the lead on 32 minutes when Paciencia Cristovao headed a looping effort into the net as Zambia battled to get out of first gear in the game.

Zambia were the quickest out of the blocks in the second half however and Ronald Kampamba shot wide minutes into the second period. Zambia were level on 66 minutes when Evans Kangwa netted his seventh goal of the championships.

After finding space on the right, he blasted the ball into the roof of the net from the angle.

The game remained tight until a frantic finish.

Angola’s Adriano almost claimed the winner late on but Zambia goalkeeper Moses Mapulanga produced a fine save after Adriano showed good feet to get his shot away from the edge of the area. Minutes later it was Zambia who scored. Kampamba showed calmness under pressure to provide a perfect lob over Angolan keeper Francisco Lirio in the 91st minute and hand the trophy back to the jubilant Young Chipolopolo.

Earlier in the day hosts Botswana collected the bronze medal when they beat Malawi 1-0 in a hard-fought clash that ended with the Young Flames reduced to 10 men.

Botswana showed themselves to have resilience in defence throughout the tournament – the only two goals they have conceded in four games in the competition came in the semifinal defeat to Zambia.

They were solid at the back against Malawi again, bar some early nervous moments, and managed to nick an all-important goal on 38 minutes. Ogomoditswe Baoleni smashed the ball home after an attack that originated from the right. Malawian goalkeeper Carlington Msomali punched a cross straight into the path of the striker and he made no mistake with his finish.

Dalisto Sailesi really should have brought Malawi level in the second period, but missed an excellent chance after being set up by the lively Tony Chitsulo.

Malawi's Kondwani Lufeyo received his marching orders four minutes into injury-time after a bad tackle on Tshwanelo Mojanaga, and the Young Flames were unable to force an equaliser to send the game to a shootout. 

Third-place playoff
Botswana 1-0 Malawi

Final
Zambia 2-1 Angola