U20 AFCON qualification remains priority – Mutapa

Record 12-time champions Zambia sent a strong statement at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 AFCON | COSAFA Qualifier, becoming the first team to book a semi-final spot with a ruthless 3-0 win over Comoros. The Junior Chipolopolo made it two wins from two in Group C, six points,…

Record 12-time champions Zambia sent a strong statement at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 AFCON | COSAFA Qualifier, becoming the first team to book a semi-final spot with a ruthless 3-0 win over Comoros.

The Junior Chipolopolo made it two wins from two in Group C, six points, five goals scored, none conceded – and top spot guaranteed with a game to spare.

Tumalo Mununga struck after just 5 minutes, Abel Nyirongo doubled the lead 12 minutes later, and Kayula Chinunda put the game beyond Comoros in the 64th minute.

It followed their 2-0 opening win over Malawi – the only side that could still match them on points but already beaten head-to-head.

Zambia coach Perry Mutapa says qualifying to the Africa Cup remains the main target.

“Our priority remains to qualify for the Africa Cup and then focus on winning the COSAFA qualifier. We will be very happy to qualify for the Africa Cup and to win the COSAFA qualifier,” Mutapa said.

He said winning back-to-back matches at the regional championship has not been easy.

“It has not been easy. In our first game, in the first half we did not coordinate well because for most guys this was the first test for international football. We told them to believe in themselves. This is about the development of players,” Mutapa said.

While Zambia cruised, neighbours Malawi revived their own semi-final dream with an identical 3-0 scoreline over Botswana.

Misheck Billiat (22′), Clever Kalambo (45+3′) and Grant Chibalo (90+3′) kept the Junior Flames alive on three points. They face Comoros on Wednesday while Zambia tackle Botswana.

Defending champions South Africa also stayed perfect. Amajita beat Angola 2-0 in a top-of-Group B clash through Lazola Maku (14′) and in-form Steven Mendes (41′) – his third goal of the tournament after a brace against Lesotho. South Africa have six points, five scored, none conceded.

And in the day’s thriller, Eswatini bounced back from a 4-0 hammering by Angola to edge Lesotho 3-2, captain Njabulo Gama striking a 91st-minute winner.

Gama had opened in the 13th minute, Andiswa Malaza made it 2-1 before halftime, but Lesotho twice levelled through Lekanyane Kalache and Kabelo Tuoane (90′) before Gama’s late dagger. Eswatini now have three points and face South Africa next; Lesotho remain pointless.

The 12-team tournament runs until September 27, with three group winners plus best runner-up going to the semis. The two finalists qualify for TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON Ghana 2027.