Zambia Under-20 National team started their campaign in the 2022 TotalEnergies Under-20 AFCON Egypt 2023/COSAFA Qualifier with an impressive 3-0 victory over Mauritius this afternoon.

The Junior Chipolopolo boys managed to find the back of the net through Zesco United’s tricky winger Chipyoka Songa through the spot kick in the 17th minute after Derrick Bulaya was brought down in the box.

Despite having many chances in the first half, the junior Chipolopolo couldn’t convert any as the match went on the break with the scores at 1-0.

In the second half, coach Chisi Mbewe made a triple substitution which saw kelvin Mwanza being introduced for Charles Mumba while Moses Mulenga came on for Derrick Bulaya and Julius kumwenda was substituted for Rickson Ng’ambi as they continued to push for a second goal.

The substitutions paid off as the Mauritius side could not contain the pressure which saw substitute Rickson Ng’ambi get the second goal for Zambia after an Amon Chulu pass.

In the 86th minute Ng’ambi managed to get himself a brace to ensure the junior Chipolopolo boys collected the maximum points in their first game of the tournament IN Group A.

Meanwhile, the Zambian team’s coach Chisi Mbewe has expressed satisfaction with the performance of his side.

He said Mauritius was a tough opponent who gave them good competition but he was happy the boys responded well to instructions despite struggling in the first half.

” I am happy with the way the boys responded; they responded well to the instructions despite struggling in the first half, we kind of struggled in the first half but after half time talk, the boys responded well. I am really happy with the performance,” he said.

The Junior Chipolopolo will play hosts Eswatini on Sunday in their second match at the competition which being used as the qualifier for the 2023 U-20 AFCON.