Amajimbos see off Zambia in the U/17 AFCON. Image: Twitter @SAFA_net
Amajimbos defeat Zambia in crucial AFCON clash
Michael Dokunmu’s strike in the 76th minute finally secured the three points for Amajimbos and are now closer to qualifying for the quarters.
Amajimbos see off Zambia in the U/17 AFCON. Image: Twitter @SAFA_net
The South African under-17 men’s national team(Amajimbos) claimed a 3-2 victory over Zambia at the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations group match on Wednesday night.
The match was played at the Stade Mohamed-Hamlaoui stadium in Algeria and saw both teams needing a win to stand a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Amajimbos one foot in the quarter-finals
Duncan Crowie’s side made a positive start to the match when they took the lead as early as the 13th minute with a sensational strike from Vicky Mkhawana. Amajimbos remained in control for most parts of the opening period and Mkhawana completed his brace and extended the lead in the 31st minute.
With the intensity of the match increasing, Zambia coach Bakala Ian made a few substitutions and it seemed to work in their favour as Emmanuel Mwanza pulled one back for the U17 COSAFA champions on the stroke of halftime. The two sides went into the break with South Africa leading 2-1.
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Mwanza completed his brace soon after the restart in the 48th minute to bring Zambia level and make the encounter an open game that could have gone either way.
Crowie’s charges were not going to give up easily and created numerous opportunities, but struggled in the final third.
Michael Dokunmu’s strike in the 76th minute finally secured the three points for Amajimbos and placed the team in a good position to progress to the quarter-finals.
Crowie said it was important for his team to show that they can play and they did so admirably when they managed to stop Zambia from creating opportunities.
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“It was more than a fight. We were 2-0 up and they came back and made it very difficult for us, putting us under pressure with the deep and long balls that put our defense under pressure,” he said.
“But as I mentioned to the guys, it was important for us to show that we can play. If they did not allow us to play,then at least we show we can fight, and I say fight in a very a nice way so that we ensure they [Zambia] don’t create opportunities.
Crowie’s charges lost their first game to Morocco
“With all the pressure that they put us under, I don’t think they really created clear-goal cut goal-scoring opportunities, which is very good.
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“Like I did the other night [after the defeat to Morocco in the opening match of the tournament], I will sit up again and cut clips to make it clear to the players what they did right and what they can still improve on in preparation for our next game against Nigeria.”
Amajimbos are currently third in Group B and will play the final group game against Nigeria on Saturday, which will determine who joins Morocco in the quarter-finals of the competition.
