Zambia successfully defended the title they won in Malawi in 2022 by defeating Angola 2-1 to clinch the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifier at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Stadium on Friday.
Both teams had already booked their places in the continental finals set for Cote d’Ivoire next year, but the Zambian took home the bragging rights after making it a ’one-two’ following earlier success in the 2024 COSAFA Under-17 Girls’ Championship final when they beat Lesotho 15-0.
In the Boys’ decider, Zambia were the better side in the first half with Mapalo Simute getting behind Angola’s back four with and without the ball on the left. On the right flank, Robert Banda always had space to attack and in the seventh minute he delivered a low cross and Abel Nyirongo finished from inside the sox-yard area to put Zambia ahead.
Offensively, Angola did not do much in the final third because they were numerically inferior to Zambia as most players remained in the half to deny the latter spaces that they could exploit during counter-attacks as the defenders mostly played long vertical and diagonal passes into the final third.
Against the run of play, Omar Oliveira took a free kick from inside the penalty arc that deflected from a defender to level matters for Angola in the 43rd minute.
In the second half, Zambia were still the dominant side and penetrated mostly in the outside channels.
In the 70th minute, Zambia were awarded a penalty after central defender Josemar Vicente brought down Emmanuel Mbuti. However, Abel Nyirongo’s shot from the spot was saved by Gelson Dala to ensure his team was still in contention for the title.
But Zambia would not be denied and Jimmy Banda assisted Nyirongo for a second goal as he completed his brace.
The speedy Simite claimed the Player of the Tournament accolade, while Nyirango clinched the Golden Boot for his seven goals. For his exploits between the goalposts, Gelson Dala of Angola claimed the Golden Glove, while Angola were also awarded the Fair Play prize.
Earlier, Zambia were crowned the 2024 COSAFA Under-17 Girls Championship winners after humbling debutants Lesotho 15-0 in a one sided final in Soweto.
Zambia become the first two-time winners of the competition, repeating their 2021 success. Uganda (2019), Tanzania (2020) and South Africa (2022) are the other winners.
The Copper Princesses were ruthless in front of goal, scoring six goals in the first half. Masela Sekeseke opened the scoring in the opening five minutes before assisting Hellen Banda for her side’s second goal inside 10 minutes.
Captain Mercy Chipasula joined the party in the seventh minute which was followed by a stunner soon after and a penalty conversion to complete a hat-trick.
Lesotho had a slim chance getting in the opposition’s half with Ntsamaeng Tholo’s attempt which was blocked by Loveness Chingwela five minutes to the break.
Three minutes from that Chipasula set-up Lillian Mwenda for Zambia’s sixth goal.
It took 10 minutes for the girls from Lusaka to add more goals in the second half with Sekeseke assisting Chipasula’s fourth goal. The latter also netted her fifth of the game two minutes later to make it 8-0 at the hour mark. She would end the game with seven goals.
The skipper soon after returned the favour to Sekeseke for the latter’s second goal of the match while on her way completing her hat-trick soon after.
It was a one way traffic as Chipasula added two goals while assisting Banda for her second of the game and Zambia’s 13th, before they added two more
The Under-17 girls win completes a hat-trick of trophies for the Zambian women’s sides this year following that of the Under-20 girls and the senior women’s teams this year.
Chipasula deservedly won both the Player of the Tournament and Golden Boot for her 13 goals. Compatriot Loveness Chingwele won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper and Lesotho took home the Fair Play award.
TOTALENERGIES U-17 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 2025 | COSAFA QUALIFIER STATISTICS
FRIDAY’S RESULT
Final – UJ Soweto Stadium
Zambia 2 (Nyirongo 7′, 90’) Angola 1 (Oliveira 44′)
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 21
Goals scored: 70
Biggest victory: Zambia 8 Namibia 0 (Group B, December 5)
Most goals in a game: 8 – Zambia 8 Namibia 0 (Group B, December 5); Namibia 4 Zimbabwe 4 (Group B, December 9)
GOALSCORERS
7 goals – Abel Nyirongo (Zambia)
5 – El Shaddai Sadomba (Zimbabwe)
3 – Valentine Macheka (Zimbabwe), Rethabile Nqoko (Lesotho), Gabriel Phiri (Zambia), Mapalo Simute (Zambia)
2 – Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe), Eliseu Francisco (Angola), James Lumbe (Malawi), Kamohelo Maraletse (South Africa), Omar Oliveira (Angola), Brayton Paulse (Namibia), Selwyn Stevens (South Africa), Kgosi Tshidi (Botswana)
1 – Robert Banda (Zambia), Jose Baptiste (Angola), Neo Bohloko (South Africa), Clifford Chisale (Malawi),Aviwe Dlamini (Eswatini), Menzi Dlamini (Eswatini), Adriano Gawab (Namibia), Jonathan Kalimina (Zambia), Stephen Kamulu (Namibia), Montgomery Karuaihe (Namibia), Thuto Khetsi (Lesotho), Killo Lino (Mozambique), Densel Liyun (Angola), Paulo Luvumbo (Angola), Nthasilwe Malupande (Zambia), Kutlo Mananye (Botswana), Siphiwe Mlondo (South Africa), Yusufu Nantunga (Malawi), Kaylan Said (Comoros), Omphemetse Sekgoto (South Africa), Levonor Timbe (Mozambique), Christiano Useb (Namibia), Emile Witbooi (South Africa)
Own goal – Milko Solunga (Namibia)
2024 GIRLS UNDER-17 COSAFA CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS
FRIDAY’S RESULT
Final – UJ Soweto Stadium
Zambia 15 (Sekeseke 4’, 57’, 60’, Banda 6’, 74’, Chipasula 7’, 16’, 37’, 51’, 53’, 62’, 64’, Mwenda 42’, Chirwa 82’, Mwikisa 84’) Lesotho 0
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 21
Goals scored: 109
Biggest victory: Zambia 15 Lesotho 0 (Final, December 13)
Most goals in a game: 15 – Zambia 15 Lesotho 0 (Final, December 13)
GOALSCORERS
13 goals – Mercy Chipasula (Zambia)
9 – Masela Sekeseke (Zambia)
7 – Ntsamaeng Tholo (Lesotho)
4 – Grace Phiri (Zambia)
3 – Hellen Banda (Zambia), Jean Fyson (Malawi), Keotshepile Kesetse (Botswana), Leonay Kock (South Africa), Natasha Nkaka (Zambia), Volana (Madagascar)
2 – Angele (Madagascar), Ana Armando (Mozambique), Teresa Gogolo (Mozambique), Lweendo Hanongo (Zambia), Chiedza Khumalo (Zimbabwe), Hope Lesotlo (Botswana), Nishaat Levy (South Africa), Tebello Lesala (Lesotho), Boiketlo Molise (Lesotho), Asimenye Mwanyongo (Malawi), Oliva (Madagascar), Itumeleng Phiri (Lesotho), Nteboheleng Sooane (Lesotho), Victoria Tennyson (Mozambique), Faluna Umali (Malawi)
1 – Talandira Chinyamula (Malawi), Janet Chirwa (Zambia), Marie Clair (Mauritius), Judite Cumbi (Mozambique), Jiscaniah (Madagascar), Tatenda Gambiza (Zimbabwe), Fatima Houana (Mozambique), Khwezi Khoza (South Africa), Fatima Lali (Malawi), Louisa (Madagascar), Katlego Malebana (South Africa), Lekenyane Mampona (Lesotho), Sphesihle Maseko (Eswatini), Victoria Mkwala (Malawi), Katlego Mohale (South Africa), Thato Molete (Lesotho), Wendy Mwikisa (Zambia), Lilian Mwenda (Zambia), Esther Ngabwe (Zambia), Anna Njere (Zimbabwe), Amogelang Sebotho (Botswana), Okuhle Sithole (South Africa), Seabe Thelo (Zimbabwe), Shirley Tokonyane (Botswana), Vola (Madagascar)
Own goals – Hazel Kanyuru (Zimbabwe), Parissa Merven (Mauritius), Nasaina Tahiajee (Mauritius)
Doublé de la Zambie
L’équipe masculine de la Zambie a été sacrée dans la Totalenergies U-17 Africa Cup Of Nations 2025 | Cosafa Qualifier. Même scénario dans le 2024 Girls Under-17 Cosafa Championship où les Zambiennes n’ont rencontré aucune difficulté pour se défaire du Lesotho 15-0. Chez les garçons, le héros se nomme Nyirongo.
Le suspense a duré jusqu’au bout. L’Angola et la Zambie ont terminé comme il se doit cette compétition chez les garçons. Les deux équipes ont proposé un spectacle de haute facture tout au long des 90 minutes sans pouvoir se départager toutefois. Nyirongo s’est une nouvelle fois distingué dans ce match en trouvant la faille. Il n’a mis que sept minutes pour y arriver d’ailleurs.
Mais dans ce genre de rencontre, le danger peut arriver n’importe quand et par n’importe qui. Il ne faut également jamais baisser la garde et les Zambiens l’ont appris à leur dépends. Juste avant la fin de la première période, Omar permettra aux Angolais de recoller au score, entretenant par la même occasion, l’espoir du titre. Mais dans le football, les choses peuvent être cruelles. Et sur le gong, Nyirongo inscrira son doublé.
Au niveau des prix octroyés individuellement, le prix du fair-play est revenu à l’Angola. Les Angolais se sont consolés également avec le prix du meilleur gardien de but qui a été décerné à Gelson Dala. Les Zambiens Abel Nyirongo et Mapalo Simute (Zambie) se sont vu remettre le titre de meilleur buteur et meilleur joueur de la compétition.
D’autre part, c’est la Zambie et l’Angola qui iront représenter la zone COSAFA à la prochaine Coupe d’Afrique des nations des moins de 17 ans. La mission s’annonce difficile mais s’appuyant sur ce que ces deux finalistes ont prouvé tout au long de la compétition, il y a fort à parier qu’elles sauront tirer leur épingle du jeu.
Chez les filles, c’est donc sur un large score que le match s’est soldé. On ne s’attendait certainement pas à ce que la Zambie déroule aussi facilement contre le Lesotho qui est quand même revenu de loin pour se hisser jusqu’en finale. Mais cette marche était définitivement trop haute pour les Lesothanes qui n’ont pas existé dans ce dernier match.
L’affaire a été rapidement pliée car dès la 4e minute, Sekeseke a ouvert le score après un raid en solo. Hellen Banda l’imitera deux minutes plus tard avant que Chipasula n’enchaine à peine une minute plus tard. La physionomie de la rencontre se dessinait alors déjà et le break sera fait au quart d’heure de jeu avec un autre but de l’intenable Chipasula. La capitaine de la Zambie inscrira d’ailleurs sept buts dans cette finale pour termine meilleure buteuse de la compétition avec un total de 13 banderilles plantées.
Outre cette rage de marquer, la Zambie fera aussi main basse sur la plupart des trophées en jeu avec notamment les titres de meilleure buteuse et de meilleure joueuse qui sont revenues à Mercy Chipasula. Loveness Chingwele a reçu le titre de meilleure gardienne alors que le prix du fair-play a été octroyé au Lesotho. C’est donc sur cette note que s’achève le calendrier 2024 de la COSAFA. Une année où les compétitions auront été une nouvelle fois d’un niveau élevé.
Zâmbia duplamente coroada no COSAFA-2024!
A sexta-feira 13 é geralmente considerada uma data associada à superstição e ao azar. No entanto, o dia 13 de Dezembro ficará seguramente marcado como um dia histórico para a Zâmbia, que foi representada pelas seleções feminina e masculina de futebol sub-17. Estas equipas alcançaram a proeza de conquistar a Taça COSAFA, após vencerem, nas respetivas finais, as suas congéneres do Lesoto (15-0) e de Angola (1-2), num evento que decorreu na cidade sul-africana de Joanesburgo desde o passado dia 4 de dezembro.
Esta foi uma data memorável para a Zâmbia, que apresentou uma geração de jogadores talentosos que, ao longo dos 21 dias de competição, puderam exibir o melhor do futebol juvenil na região. Nasceram aqui duas gerações de ouro, o que reflete o compromisso que a COSAFA tem demonstrado para o desenvolvimento do futebol.
Na façanha histórica alcançada pela equipa feminina, a Zâmbia brilhou no Estádio UJ Soweto Stadium, atropelando as suas adversárias sem dó nem piedade, num resultado que revela claramente o desnível competitivo entre as duas nações. As “Princesas de Cobre”, como são conhecidas, terminaram a primeira parte já com uma vantagem de 5-0, com três golos marcados num incrível intervalo de três minutos. Sekeseke (4′, 57′, 60′) abriu caminho para o festival de golos da equipa zambiana, tendo como destaque a endiabrada Mercy Chipasula (7′, 16′, 36′, 51′, 52′, 62′, 64′), com o notável registo de sete golos. Os restantes tentos foram apontados por Heelen Banda (6′, 74′), Mwenda (41′), Chirwa (82′) e Wendy (84′).
A caminhada até a final foi marcada por vitórias convincentes. A Zâmbia garantiu sua vaga após derrotar Madagáscar por 3-0 nas meias-finais, enquanto o Lesoto superou Moçambique por 1-0. As “Princesas de Cobre” permaneceram invictas, enquanto o Lesoto sofreu apenas uma derrota durante a competição, um revés por 2-0 para Moçambique na terceira e última jornada da fase de grupos.
No que diz respeito aos prémios individuais e coletivos, a Zâmbia dominou merecidamente. Mercy Chipasula, atacante do Kamfinsa Blu Eagles da Zâmbia, foi eleita a Melhor Jogadora do Torneio e recebeu a Chuteira de Ouro, após marcar 13 golos. Sua compatriota e colega de equipa, Loveness Chingwele, foi reconhecida como a melhor guarda-redes do torneio, recebendo a Luva de Ouro. Apesar de ter sido a finalista vencida, o Lesoto recebeu o prémio Fair Play da competição.
Depois de garantir com sucesso a qualificação para o Campeonato Africano das Nações (CAN) de Sub-17 de 2025, a Zâmbia (juntamente com Angola) entrou no jogo focada na conquista do título de campeã da COSAFA na edição de 2024. A Zâmbia inaugurou o marcador aos sete minutos, através de Abel Nyirongo, mas a três minutos do fim da primeira parte, Omar Oliveira marcou o golo do empate para Angola (43′). No reinício, a Zâmbia teve a oportunidade de aumentar a vantagem, mas o guarda-redes angolano, Gelson Dala (eleito o melhor jogador em campo e do torneio), fez notáveis intervenções, incluindo a defesa de uma grande penalidade, impedindo Abel Nyirongo, o melhor marcador da prova (com nove golos) e vencedor da Bota de Ouro, de marcar. Contudo, foi nos momentos finais que o avançado Abel Nyirongo repôs a justiça no jogo, selando o resultado em 1-2. Foi um jogo dramático e emocionante até ao final.
Angola, por sua vez, falhou a oportunidade de conquistar o terceiro título, após ter vencido em 2018 nas Maurícias e em 2021 no Lesoto.
A Zâmbia teve um percurso invicto na fase regular da competição, derrotando a anfitriã África do Sul por 2-1 nas meias-finais, enquanto Angola venceu o Zimbabwe por 2-0 para garantir um lugar na final e, consequentemente, a qualificação para o CAN agendado para o próximo ano na Costa do Marfim.
Sem conhecerem o sabor da derrota até então, o jogo de hoje foi uma demonstração de força para ambos os conjuntos, com o vencedor a provar a sua supremacia neste teste de forças.
