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Zimbabwe disappoints

Sport
ZIMBABWE . . . . . . .0 ZAMBIA . . . . . . (0) 3 THE sixth edition of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games came to an end yesterday, but on a rather low note for the locals after the Young Warriors were sent crushing by their Zambian […]

ZIMBABWE . . . . . . .0 ZAMBIA . . . . . . (0) 3 THE sixth edition of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games came to an end yesterday, but on a rather low note for the locals after the Young Warriors were sent crushing by their Zambian equivalents in the closing soccer match at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.

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After holding their own against a classy Young Chipolopolo side in the first half, the gulf in quality eventually showed in the second half when they conceded three goals without responding.

The Zambian Under-20 team, who were arguably operating at their own level throughout the tournament, got their opener through a flashing header by Patrick Ngoma in the 52nd minute, his seventh goal of the tournament.

The home team were undone by another headed effort four minutes later, this time by Harrison Musonda who beat the rather impressive goalkeeper Kelvin Shangiwa.

Solomon Sakala completed the rout in the 76th minute, converting from the spot kick after defender Leslie Lunga had brought down Kasashi Lupiya inside the box.

Lunga earned himself a yellow card for his troubles, which was his second of the match and the Young Warriors had to battle for the remainder of the match a man down.

It was a performance deserving of a gold medal from Zambians who smashed in a total 19 goals in this tournament including in a 6-1 hammering of South Africa in their opening match and a 4-0 victory over Malawi in the semi-final.

For the Young Warriors, they didn’t really come to the party yesterday and should be very happy that the result did not reach double figures.

But if the truth can be told, the result was expected as the Zambians had showed no mercy throughout the tournament. Zambia did not lose or drew a match in these Games.

Despite winning the tournament comfortably, Zambian coach Hector Chilombo bragged that he had actually used a second string team. He also added that the victory was as a result of hardwork by his team.

“We prepared well for this tournament and it paid off. It is all about team work and I have stayed with these boys for three years. Zimbabwe have a good team in the youngsters and they have to build on this team,” Chilombo said.

The Young Warriors coach Tafadzwa Mashiri was a disappointed man.

“It is disappointing. We played well in the first half and lost concentration in the second. We lost the plot in the midfield and they (Zambia) kept on coming at us and our marking in defence was poor. But this is a developmental tournament, there is a lot of hope in the youngsters,” Mashiri said.

The Young Warriors started brightly, but for their dominance, they did not score a goal.

They capitulated in the second half, and despite Mashiri introducing his impact players, Denzel Khumalo and Thembalethu Mthunzi in the second half, the duo could do very little to save the day for the home side. Teams Zimbabwe: K Shangiwa, T Muringani (D Khumalo, 46’), M Chodeva, L Muyambo, T Kadyaridzire, I Munsaka, L Lunga (red card, 76’), B Sibanda, L Bvochora (T Mthunzi, 55’), B Ncube, T Zidoro Zambia: M Banda, J Daka, B Mkandawire, S Phiri, S Sakala, P Ngoma, P Daka, C Shezongo (J Musonda 86’), G Mandu, C Sakulanda (K Mukuka 86’), K Lupiya