Zambia made a commanding start to their U-17 AFCON COSAFA Qualifier campaign, delivering a resounding 8-0 victory over Namibia in a Group B clash. The match showcased Zambia’s attacking prowess and tactical dominance, leaving Namibia struggling to keep pace.
Mapalo Simute set the tone with a goal in the very first minute, capitalizing on a quick attacking move to ignite the Zambian supporters.
Just three minutes later, he doubled his tally, pouncing on a rebound to extend Zambia’s lead and spark jubilant celebrations in the stands.
Namibia mounted occasional counter-attacks from deep positions but found themselves overwhelmed by Zambia’s relentless pace and precision.
Midfield maestro Vincent Mutondo orchestrated the play, controlling the tempo and linking effectively with the forward line.
Felix Phiri and Simute consistently exploited the flanks, creating havoc for Namibia’s full-backs with their speed and intelligent movement.
In the 43rd minute, Abel Nyiringo made it 3-0, heading in a perfectly placed long diagonal pass from Jonathan Kalimina.
The dominance continued immediately after halftime, with Mutondo himself getting on the scoresheet in the 46th minute.
Kalimina added a fifth goal just three minutes later, showcasing his versatility with a clinical finish. Zambia’s attacking onslaught didn’t stop there.
Gabriel Phiri stepped into the spotlight, scoring in the 82nd and 87th minutes before completing his hat-trick in the 90th minute to cap off a remarkable performance.
Namibia struggled to contain the wave of Zambian attacks, with their defense repeatedly breached by Zambia’s fluid movements and clinical finishing.
The result serves as a strong statement of intent from the Zambian side as they aim to secure qualification for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Zambia’s emphatic win not only places them at the top of Group B but also underscores their status as one of the tournament’s frontrunners.
Fans will be eager to see if they can maintain this level of dominance in their upcoming matches.
