Patson Daka outshone the Young Pharaohs as the Young Chipolopolo them 3-1, leaving their rivals packing in the 2017 under 20 Afcon.
It will be important to note that this was a serious come back by the boys gone down 1 nil going to the break.
Meanwhile Guinea shocked virtually everyone with their push for the semi final with a hard-fought victory over the West African rivals Mali in Ndola. The Zambians who were guaranteed a top spot in Group A and a place in the semi finals thanks to an excellent run in the first two matches were not out to do anyone any favours. But simply be professional and play football to there ability.
Former Power Dynamos sensational youngster Patson Daka scored his 2nd of the tournament a landmark strike after beating the offside trap to level the matters, straight after the break after the opener from Egypt who had made the boisterous crowd quiet. This was the second time Zambia would concede but first time Zambia would finish the first half trailing in this tournament.
Fashion Sakala would then make it 2-1 deep in the second half before Patson would put the game beyond the reach of the Egyptians. What a come back! It was a sweet return to the venue for the host who have impressed in their last two games played in the group stages at the same venue beating Guinea and Mali, in the process scoring 10 goals in the three games and conceding just 2.
Zambia now have 9 points from 3 games, five clear of second-placed Guinea who beat Mali 3-2 in Ndola.
Egypt and Mali now languishing outside the qualifying places in third and fourth respectively and going back home.
Zambians celebrate
ABOUT THE GAME
Zambians are surely grateful for three wins and 9 points earned in this group stage but i think we should as well lament the poor execution of the game plan. The boys can not always be lucky to come back after going down especially now that they are into a knock out phase.
While I don’t know the approach of Beston Chambeshi , I thought we did not play to the tactical plan, as we wanted to limit the areas of the field of play for Egypt. The players looked shell shocked in the first half and needed a lot of time to get back into the rhythm.
Coach Chambeshi’s boys to me were also very selfish in the final third, as I thought once they got anywhere near the Egypt penalty box it was more of individualist shows for the most part, and I think that let the team down a whole lot more.
The play in midfield was absent for a lot of the time as the midfielders were not staying on the ball as much as they should. That was the advantage that Egypt took.
For me, our personality and presence were limited.
The defence should up the game going forward as giving up the first goal was more disappointing to me and was a clear sign of lack of concentration and not enough attention.
A very good team could have punished us . Thank God the boys had the fighting spirit in the second half.
Otherwise the team I think just like in the last three games will be ready for the semi final possibly against our Southern African tournament partners Amajita of South Africa.
