U17

Zambia successfully defended the title they won in Malawi in 2022 by defeating Angola 2-1 to clinch the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifier at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Stadium on Friday.

Both teams had already booked their places in the continental finals set for Cote d’Ivoire next year, but the Zambian took home the bragging rights after making it a ’one-two’ following earlier success in the 2024

COSAFA Under-17 Girls’ Championship final when they beat Lesotho 15-0.In the Boys’ decider, Zambia were the better side in the first half with Mapalo Simute getting behind Angola’s back four with and without the ball on the left.

On the right flank, Robert Banda always had space to attack and in the seventh minute he delivered a low cross and Abel Nyirongo finished from inside the sox-yard area to put Zambia ahead.

Offensively, Angola did not do much in the final third because they were numerically inferior to Zambia as most players remained in the half to deny the latter spaces that they could exploit during counter-attacks as the defenders mostly played long vertical and diagonal passes into the final third.

Against the run of play, Omar Oliveira took a free kick from inside the penalty arc that deflected from a defender to level matters for Angola in the 43rd minute.

In the second half, Zambia were still the dominant side and penetrated mostly in the outside channels.In the 70th minute, Zambia were awarded a penalty after central defender Josemar Vicente brought down Emmanuel Mbuti.

However, Abel Nyirongo’s shot from the spot was saved by Gelson Dala to ensure his team was still in contention for the title.But Zambia would not be denied and Jimmy Banda assisted Nyirongo for a second goal as he completed his brace.

The speedy Simite claimed the Player of the Tournament accolade, while Nyirango clinched the Golden Boot for his seven goals.

For his exploits between the goalposts, Gelson Dala of Angola claimed the Golden Glove, while Angola were also awarded the Fair Play prize.