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Nkosilathi Sibanda Sports Reporter
Zimbabwe 0 – 3 Zambia

ZAMBIA stuck to the script against the Young Warriors, putting up a classic finish to the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games by beating the hosts 3-1 in the final at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

Patrick Ngoma, the tournament’s top goal scorer, ran riot in the Zimbabwe box to open the scoreline with a low but hard header in the 52nd minute. The stocky and undoubtedly Zambia’s lethal goal-getter, was stationed well to receive a curler cross from winger Chrispin Sakulanda and nodded in the opener, much to the surprise of hapless Zimbabwean goalminder Kelvin Shangiwa.

Led by the tireless Ngoma, Zambia swept away Zimbabwe through a flurry of attempts at goal, chances, and exhilarating tidal waves in attack.

Six minutes later, Zambia’s quick and slick passing unlocked Zimbabwe once more, with Ngoma cleverly lifting the ball through to Solomon Sakala. Sidney Phiri on the left flank had to continue with the buildup and set up Charles Shezongo to give Harrison Musonda, who accepted the invitation, failing to put up a finishing strike beating an off position Shangiwa.

Again, Ngoma slipped the ball to Lupiya who took it in his stride and pushed wide and somehow stayed on his feet, to then wrap his foot around and clip it back across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

The Young Chipolopolo piled on the misery in the last quarter when they scored the third goal through a penalty.

Ngoma finished the tournament having netted a record seven goals.

Zimbabwe’s Leslie Lunga seemed to have brought down Kasashi Lupiya inside the box and Seychelles referee Keren Yocette did not hesitate to send him for an early shower.

Sakala stepped up and netted in the goal that put a lid on Young Warriors’ dream of garnering gold on home soil. The shot was exquisite as he stabbed at the ball with the outside of his left boot to beat Shangiwa.

The home crowd was silenced.

Whenever the fans attempted to revive the browbeaten Young Warriors, the Zambians regained possession quickly and for long periods. It could have been a long afternoon for the home team and their supporters, given the Young Chipolopolo’s prowess on the field.

Nothing much can be said of the home team, save for the tactical ineptness in both the players and the coaches. Zimbabwe’s coach Tafadzwa Mashiri was clueless. He failed to solve the midfield crisis that exposed the home side.

Mashiri made his changes, but it did not change the momentum as Zambia sensed an emphatic victory. He made the predictable substitutions by pulling out Tatenda Muringani for Denzel Khumalo in the 46th minute. The gaffer also replaced an out of sorts Lennon Bvochora for the reliable Thembalethu Mthunzi in the 58th minute. But, that failed to yield the results as the swops did not alter the game against a talented and tactical Zambia.

There was another chance for Zimbabwe in the 37th minute as Bukhosi Sibanda was bundled over in the corner of the area by Sidney Phiri, who had been over-run throughout the half. Instead Sibanda’s shot on the 18 yard edge went narrowly wide.

Zimbabwe’s first corner kick came in the 60th minute. Moments later, defensive link, Learnmore Muyambo wonderfully dummied to beat Jonathan Daka only to be cut off by an alert Boyd Mkandawire who collected possession and ran to clear off the opposition defence.

The Young Warriors’ undoing was largely at the centre of the park. Having possession of the ball, the Young Warriors only managed to complete a few passes before Zambia intercepted. Had the Zimbabweans kept the ball on the ground, laid in clean, complete passes at the centre, they could have held Zambia and possibly dominated to claim top spot.

Shangiwa was Zimbabwe’s face saver. With defenders spread afield, the young goalie had to go solo, saving many numerous attempts at goal by the Zambians.

Zambia could have made a sorry story out of their hosts in the first stanza. In the first quarter, Patson Daka failed a photo finish cross off a long pass from Shezongo and Shangiwa rightly outstretched for a save.

Mashiri said he was disappointed and did not expect such humiliation on home soil.

“It was disappointing. The Zambians sapped our energy. We failed to work out the midfield and the defence was weak.”

Hector Chilombo, the winning coach, said he deserved the win.

“I’ve been with these players for three years. They know what I want and what’s expected of them. This was our game.”

Teams:

Zimbabwe: K Shangiwa, T Muringani (D Khumalo 46th minute), M Chodeva, L Muyambo, T Kadyaridzire, I Munsaka (M Kalombe 70th minute), L Lunga, B Sibanda, L Bvochora (T Mthunzi 55tth minute) , B Ncube, T Zidoro

Zambia: M Banda, J Daka, B Mkandawire, S Phiri, S Sakala, P Ngoma, P Daka( H Musonda 37th minute), C Shezongo( John Musonda 86th minute) , G Mhandu, C Sakulanda(K Mukuka 86th minute), K Lupiya.