• ZAMBIA Under-17’s Enock Mwempu (left) tries to escape the attention of Malebogo Modise of South Africa during a 2015 Africa Junior Championship warm-up football match at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka yesterday. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Picture by JEAN MANDELA

By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA At Nkoloma Stadium –
Zambia 1 South Africa 1
THE Zambia Under-17 soccer squad yesterday played out a draw against South Africa in Lusaka as both teams stepped up preparations for the 2015 Niger Africa Junior Championship.
In this otherwise scrappy international friendly match played on a wet surface, both sides showed a of lack mental strength and experience.
Added to that was a heavy downpour that slowed the game further.
South Africa, who are playing their first of the two international games in two weeks, actually looked the more adept to the rains.
The visitors deservedly took the lead in the 17th minute through Liam Jordan who connected from close range to send the Zambian team reeling in shock.
But led on by the imposing captain Patson Daka, Zambia pushed on for an equaliser and pressed the Amajimbos back in their area.
The much-needed goal duly arrived for the Junior Chipolopolo as Daka proved the key man when he levelled from inside the area with his left.
He capitalised on a loose ball in the box and slammed in with his left to keep up his scoring habit.
This was the fourth goal he was scoring against South Africa in two games having notched a hat-trick in Zimbabwe during the Africa Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region Five Youth Games.
After those goals yesterday, the game turned into a dull affair.
Coach Chris Kaunda’s players raised the tempo in the second-half but they were being caught offside on three occasions from a well orchestrated South African trap.
With the rains battering down heavily at the end of the game, it was clear the match would end in a draw which left both coaches content.