Striker Abel Nyirongo’s 90th-minute goal atoned for his earlier wastage as Zambia beat Angola 2-1 to retain the championship for COSAFA Qualifiers of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa on Friday.
The Zambians emulated their sisters who earlier thrashed Lesotho 15-0 at the same University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus Stadium to win the championship for the girls’ section of the competition.
The boys dominated the final, going ahead in the 39th minute through Nyirongo’s opener via a clever flick in between Angola goalkeeper Rodrigo Tremoco at the near post after meeting Robert Banda’s right-wing cross.
Three minutes later, Angola pulled themselves back into the contest when Omar Oliveira’s direct freekick bounced in front of Zambia goalkeeper William Zulu and deflected into the lower half of the far post for the equalizer.
The two teams settled for a one-all tie time at half-time and took a similar pattern of missed chances upon resumption.
In one of those misses, Angola’s Oliveira danced past markers on the left and opted to shoot instead of squaring the ball across the goal-mouth. The Angolan sent his effort into the sky.
On the other end, Nyirongo earned a penalty for Zambia after Emmanuel Mbuti was fouled in the box only for the striker to be denied by goalkeeper Tremoco’s one-handed save in the 72nd minute.
With the clock ticking, the defending champions had yet another chance to kill off the game when Mapalo Simute flicked the ball towards Nyirongo, but he hoofed his effort over the bar to the disbelief of coach Ian Bakala.
Nyirongo finally made huge amends when he scored on the stroke of full time.
The towering striker received a ball with his back to the goal then turned in the same moment, his touch helping him lose his markers as he raced clear to score past the Angola goalkeeper. It was game over.
Zambia defended the cup they won two years ago in Malawi and now proceed to the AFCON finals alongside Angola.
Video: Zambia 2-1 Angola highlights
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