Record title-holders Zambia claimed their 12th regional trophy with a 1-0 victory over defending champions Mozambique in the final of the TotalEnergies U20 AFCON Egypt 2023 | COSAFA Qualifier in Eswatini on Sunday.
Both teams had already qualified for the continental finals next year and remain on course for a place in the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia. They will need to finish in the top four in Egypt to secure their place.
The only goal of the game was scored by Zambian forward Kingston Mutandwa, who bundled the ball home after 35 minutes to give Young Chipolopolo a lead they deserved.
They were able to hold on for the rest of the match with some ease and denied Mozambique back-to-back titles under their coach Dario Monteiro.
Zambia were worthy winners of the competition having only conceded a single goal in their five matches in Eswatini, which came in the semifinal draw with Angola that was won on penalties.
South Africa took home the bronze medal after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over nine-man Angola, with the teams having played to a 1-1 draw in the third-place play-off.
The South Africans took the lead as Mohau Nkota drilled the ball into the net on the angle, but that joy was short-lived when Angola equalised soon afterwards.
João De Brito went on a mazy run down the left-hand side and his cross was headed home at close-range by Danilson Makokisa, who took his tally to five goals in the competition and claimed the Golden Boot.
Neither side could find a winner, but Angola finished the game with nine players after Domilson Kipanda received two yellow cards, and goalkeeper Deo Yoka a straight red.
Zambia star Charles Mumba was named Player of the Tournament for his outstanding displays in leading his side to the title, while his teammate, goalkeeper Jeban Tembo, won the Golden Glove. The Fair Play award went to South Africa.
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Third-Place Play-Off
South Africa 1 (Nkota 10’) Angola 1 (Makokisa 15’) – SA won 4-2 on penalties
Final
Mozambique 0 Zambia 1 (Mutandwa 35’)
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 22
Goals scored: 73
Biggest victory: Eswatini 7 Mauritius 0 (Group A, October 11); Angola 8 Seychelles 1 (Group B, October 12)
Most goals in a game: 9 – Angola 8 Seychelles 1 (Group B, October 12)
GOALSCORERS
5 goals – Danilson Makokisa (Angola)
4 – Mukelo Nkambule (Eswatini)
3 – Chamito Alfandega (Mozambique), Denio Munhave (Mozambique)
2 – Keyns Abdala (Mozambique), Oshwin Andries (South Africa), João De Brito (Angola), Diogenes Inacio (Angola), Antonio Lopes (Angola), Chifundo Mphasi (Malawi), Kingston Mutandwa (Zambia), Rickson Ng’ambi (Zambia), Mohau Nkota (South Africa), Siphephelo Philiso (Eswatini), Djwa Ramos (Mozambique), Relebohile Ratomo (South Africa), Chikumbutso Salima (Malawi), Chipyoka Songa (Zambia)
1 – Domingos Bandeira (Angola), Samuel Betombo (Comoros), Luis Borges (Angola), Luke Daniels (South Africa), Puso Dithejane (South Africa), Lawrence Doeseb (Namibia), Brenden Duba (South Africa), Sizwe Khumalo (Eswatini), Mayibongwe Mabuza (Eswatini), Neo Maieane (Lesotho), Prince Manku (South Africa), Chrispine Mapemba (Malawi), Vincent Mkandawire (Malawi), Nonofo Mosweunyane (Botswana), Botshelo Motsheja (Botswana), Emmanuel Mukosha (Zambia), Lombe Mutale (Zambia), Alfonso Paxe (Angola), Rewaldo Prins (Namibia), Imra Raheriniaina (Seychelles), Yakine Said (Comoros), Emmanuel Saviel (Malawi), Raymonzo Stern (Namibia), Antonio Sumbane (Mozambique), Tanki Tsibela (Lesotho), Alberto Van Wyk (Namibia), Isaac Vidal (Angola), Glen Younousse (Comoros), Jose Zavala (Mozambique)
Own Goal – Nonofo Mosweunyane (Botswana)
