By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Coach Boyd Mulwanda has pointed out Zambia U20’s weakest link at the just-ended 2024 COSAFA Cup in Mozambique where the outgoing defending champions lost in Saturday’s final to South Africa in Maputo.
Zambia lost 2-0 to South Africa to relinquish the COSAFA U20 Cup crown to a team that had won all its games in Mozambique and not conceded any goals.
But it was not the same for Zambia who were very fortunate to stumble into the semifinals as the best second-placed side in the group stages where they won one and lost one of their two group stage games.
In all, Zambia scored 5 goals and conceded 8 from the group stage to the final.
Mulwanda said in a post-match interview in Maputo that they have a lot of work to do at the back before heading to the 2025 U20 AFCON that they qualified for after reaching the COSAFA U20 Cup final.
“I think it was our defence. We were not solid at the back. If we check all the games that we have played, we conceded an average of two goals per game,” Mulwanda said.
“In the first one, we conceded 3, in the second one we conceded 1 goal and 2 in the other one.”
In the group stages, Zambia lost 3-1 to Angola and beat Namibia 2-1.
It took post-match penalties in the semifinals for Zambia to beat Zimbabwe 6-5 after a 2-2 draw.
“We will regroup as a team and try to psych the boys that this was part of our preparations for the U20 AFCON and we have seen where we are lacking,” Mulwanda said.
“When we go back, we have to strengthen the defence and see how we can improve.”
Both of South Africa’s goals came in the first half, with the first one coming in the 5th minute through Shandne Campbell who scored his third of the tournament.
Lee Jody Ahshene struck in the 45th minute to take home the 2024 COSAFA U20 Cup Golden Boot after scoring his 4 goal of the tournament.
South Africa ended the tournament with 16 goals without conceding any in their five matches played in Maputo en route to their COSAFA U20 Cup triumph.
“It was a tough game for us. I think South Africa planned well for us which gave them the two goals and we congratulate them, ” said Mulwanda.
