By ADRIAN MWANZA –
Zambia 3 Madagascar 0
COACH Oswald Mutapa Junior commended the spirit of his second string U-17 squad that thrashed Madagascar to finish the group stages with a 100 per cent record and scoring 10 goals without conceding.
Mutapa, who made wholesale changes to the team in view of the semi-finals against either Mauritius or Namibia, remained confident that Zambia will go all the way and retain the title.
Mwiza Siwale opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a powerful shot that gave the Madagascar keeper no chance and George Nyimbiri increased the lead in the 42nd minute before completing his brace in the 86th minute.
“I should commend the boys for showing character during this game because only two players started this game from the previous game. We are ready to face any side and our aim is to win the title,” he said.
Malawi emerged as runner up and will play South Africa after battering Kenya 5-0 to finish on six points while the former is on three and Madagascar bottom with no point.
Meanwhile, Under-20 coach Beston Chambeshi has said his side will play Zimbabwe in an international friendly match as Zambia shapes up for the 2017 Africa Youth Championship.
“We are going to play Zimbabwe although the dates have not yet been confirmed, but this game will be used to gauge how far we have reached with preparing this side as hosts of the tournament,” he said.
Chambeshi said his target was to ensure a strong squad that would win the championship.