JOHANNESBURG - Amajita’s hearts were broken late into the night in Lusaka on Wednesday by Zambia, who advanced to the final of the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory, while the South Africans will contest the third-place playoff.
After holding the rampant Zambians for almost two hours, the national Under-20 team were finally beaten with a well-taken header by Edward Chilufya from Prosper Chilufya’s cross.
Even though a place in the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea was booked, these southern African rivals gave it their all to move closer to being African champions.
The crowd that filled the Heroes National Stadium didn’t even move when play was suspended because of teargas that found its way into the venue with one minute to go before the end of the first half of extra time.
The medical stuff from both sides quickly rushed with damp towels to protect their players from the fumes. That didn’t dampen the atmosphere.
Thabo Senong had made three changes from the team that beat Sudan 3-1. As expected, most of those changes were to solidify the side’s porous defence.
Notha Ngcobo returned in place of Katlego Mohamme at left back, while the workhorse that is Wiseman Meyiwa anchored the midfield. Khanyisa Mayo led the attack in the absence of Phakamani Mahlambi, who returned home from Zambia as part of the conditions of his release for the Under-20 Afcon by Bidvest Wits.
Those changes brought about a more solid performance from Amajita at the back. Even goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto raised his game. He was more confident and stable when he came off his line, which wasn’t the case in the 4-3 loss to Senegal.
Mpoto produced a brilliant save in optional time to deny Patson Daka and take the match to extra time. Mpoto also denied Enock Mwepu from point-blank range in extra time.
Amajita were able to find holes in the hosts’ defence in front of a sold-out crowd with their intricate passes. But they fluffed their chances with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The southern African derby was tighter than the last two matches these two nations played against each other. The young Chipolopolo won both those matches 2-1, the Under-20 Cosafa Cup final in Moruleng last year and a friendly just before this tournament in Lusaka.
With the defence sorted, Amajita’s attack stuttered in carrying the team. They didn’t have the bite that made them the second-best strike force after the hosts.
Mayo spent the better part of his time on the field isolated. Zambia closely marked Luther Singh, the tournament’s top goal-scorer with four. Kobamelo Kodisang eventually took Mayo out of his misery as he replaced the forward before the hour mark.
Amajita looked livelier after the introduction of Kodisang. Senong applauded every effort, willing his charges on. The longer the match stayed goalless, the more frustrated the home crowd were.
That worked in Amajita's favour, but Zambia gave those fans something to cheer about by marching to the final.
They will meet the winner between Senegal and Guinea, while Amajita will face the loser in the third-place playoff. Both those matches will be played on Sunday.