The Total Under 20 Africa Cup of Nations Zambia came to an explosive end last night, 12 March 2017, with hosts Zambia being crowned kings of the Youth Tournament after defeating Senegal 2-0 in the final played at the National Heroes Stadium.
Goals from Patson Daka and Edward Chilufya sealed an emphatic and historic first African title for Zambia at the U-20 level.
The tournament, the 14th edition was hosted in two of Zambia’s major cities of Lusaka and Ndola in the Copperbelt comprising of 8 teams in two groups A and B. Zambia, Egypt, Mali and Guinea were drawn in Group A (Lusaka) while Cameroon, Senegal, Sudan and South Africa were in Group B (Ndola)
The tournament had its highs and lows and wasn’t without incidents, the major one being the teargas fiasco in the semifinal class between Zambia and South Africa.
GOALS
Four every tournament to go on successfully, we need to see goals and this tournament did not disappoint in this aspect. A total of 50 goals were scored in this tournament. Out of the 50 goals, 4 came from the penalty spot.
Three players finished as joint top scorers, Luther Singh of South Africa, Patson Daka and Edward Chilufya both of Zambia all scored 4 goals.
Singh was however awarded the golden boot making 2 assists for Tercious Malepe and Pakaman Mahlambi’s goals.
Daka was not to be put down as he was voted as Man of the Tournament for his fantastic performance for the Junior Chipolopolo.
Zambia were the highest scorers of the tournament with 13 goals, 6 of those goals coming in the 6-1 thumping of Mali in the group stage followed by Senegal with 8 goals.
South Africa and Mali had the weakest defense at the tournament letting in 9 goals each.
Zambia were the meanest in terms of goals conceded allowing only 2 goals against Mali and Egypt.
DISCIPLINARY RECORD
More than 48 yellows cards were flashed at the tournament but strange enough only one red card recorded and that was against Senegal’s Mamadou Diarra in the 1-1 draw with Sudan.
The highest number of yellow cards in a single match was recorded in 4 games (5 yellow cards) and that was, Guinea 1-1 Egypt, Sudan 1-4 Cameroon, Zambia 1-0 South Africa and the final Zambia 2-0 Senegal.
The highest number of bookings recorded against a team in a single match was at 4 yellow cards against South Africa in the 1-0 semifinal loss to Zambia, and Guinea in their 3-2 win over Mali in the group stages.
ATTENDANCE
The home supporters did not disappoint with the highest attendance recorded at 60,000 capacity sell out. whenever the host nation took to the field at the National Heroes stadium in Lusaka.
Tickets sold out in all the 5 games the host nation played.
The same can not be said in Ndola at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium with the crowd turn not so inspiring. However, a good number of locals did turn up to cheer on the teams at the 45,000 capacity stadium.
CROWD TROUBLE
At the National Heroes Stadium, there was an incident of crowd trouble as the Zambia Police battled to disperse a crowd that were trying to force their way into the arena as Zambia was battling South Africa deep into extra time of the first semifinal.
Teargas canisters were discharged to disperse the crowd and unfortunately, the fumes filtered into the stadium causing panic among both sets of players and officials causing the match to be stopped for about 7 minutes.
However, the match went on SMOOTHLY as the hosts defeated South Africa to reach a maiden U20 Afcon final.
JUJU AND FIREWORKS
It is without a doubt that the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations was breathtaking and the crowd in attendance were entertained in an incident filled exhibition of skill, tackles and most of all goals and goals.
But maybe the fans were not expecting to see what many suspect was the practice of (for lack of a better word) black magic or Juju by the Senegal team in the final of the tournament.
The incident caused commotion in the Zambian camp but that did not spoil the fun, the hosts went on to lift their first maiden crown as fireworks lit up the skies.
