By FELIX MALUNGA –
Malawi 1 Zambia 2
THE Zambia Under-20 soccer squad yesterday took a giant step towards qualifying to the Orange 2015 African Youth Championship after beating Malawi before their home crowd at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Zambia, who are seeking a seventh appearance at the continent’s biggest youth soccer showpiece, have never reached the African Youth Championship since 2007 when the junior Chipolopolo went on to qualify to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup finals in Canada.
In this first leg of the final qualifying round of the African Youth Championship, the junior Chipolopolo hit their hosts twice in the first half to ensure Malawi remains winless in three straight home games.
Larry Bwalya put Zambia ahead on 15 minutes with a superb goal from inside the box, beating goalkeeper Brightson Munthali before Charles Zulu grabbed the second on 32 minutes.
Despite conceding twice, Malawi never gave up the fight and deservedly pulled one back through Chawanangwa Kawonga in the 39th minute from the penalty spot.
Malawi, whose last appearance at the African Youth Championship in 1999, were awarded a penalty after Ernest Tambe was impeded inside the box on 38 minutes.
After restart, Ernest Mtawali’s charges desperately searched for an equaliser but Hector Chilombo’s boys were equal to the challenge.
Chilombo later made some tactical changes, resting striker Patrick Ngoma, who got a knock on 53 minutes, for Dave Daka, Kelvin Chinyama for Juma Mutale and Simon Tembo replaced Bwalya.
In the dying minutes, Malawi kept firing in all cylinders but Zambia stood firm and also missed a goal after counter attack.
The return match will be played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka August 30 with the winner over two legs qualifying for the finals to be hosted by Senegal in March 2015.
Line-up:
Mangani Banda, Peter Mulenga, Boyd Mkandawire, Kapota Kayawe, Alex Mwamba, Kelvin Chinyama (Juma Mutale), Charles Zulu, Spencer Sautu, Patrick Ngoma (Dave Daka), Larry Bwalya (Simon Tembo), Saith Sakala.