U-17s Burst Into Cosafa Final

ZIMBABWE'S Young Warriors stayed on course for a second regional title when they stormed into the Cosafa Under-17 final after seeing off rivals Zambia in a closely contested semi-final at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia last night.

Rodwell Dhlakama's teenagers, holders of the Anoca Zone Six Games title, will now meet old enemies South Africa in the final at the same venue on Saturday night.

South Africa dismissed Malawi 1-0 in an earlier semi-final match the same venue.

Interestingly, the Under-17 side will find themselves in the same situation their Under-20 brothers were in Mpumalanga, South Africa last Sunday when Zimbabwe faced their southern neighbours in the Metropolitan Cosafa Under-20 final.

According to Zimbabwe head of delegation Solomon Mugavazi, the Young Warriors took the lead in the second half before allowing the Zambians to fight their way back and force the game into the penalty shoot-out lottery.

There was no extra time after regulation time with the teams proceeding straight into a shootout.

CAPS FC midfielder Archieford Gutu, who joined his teammates on Monday after doing duty for the Under-20 side in South Africa found the goal that gave Zimbabwe the lead in the 67th minute.

Gutu struck from the penalty spot after Namibian referee Arvo Mufeti adjudged that a Zambian defender had handled the ball inside the box in a bid to clear.

But just as it seemed the Young Warriors would win the game in regulation time, the Zambians equalised and forced the game into penalties.

It was now the turn of Aces Youth Academy goalkeeper George Chigowa to emerge the hero when he dived to save one of Zambia's five spot kicks that made all the difference and sent the Young Warriors, winners of Group C, into the final.

Mugavazi, naturally excited about his team's victory, said they had been anticipating a showdown with South Africa after watching their opponents win in Group A.

Zambia had also qualified for the semi-finals by virtue of winning Group B while Malawi went through to the last four after emerging as the best runners-up from the three groups at the tournament.

Mugavazi, however, predicted a tough final against the Amajimbos, as the South African Under-17 side are affectionately known.

"As I said before, these youngsters have been inspired by the Under-20 team's achievement and they would want to emulate that and I am glad we are now in the final against South Africa.

"We will only know what time the final will be played at the pre-match meeting because things keep changing here although we have noted that the organisers want most of the matches to be played at night as it is very hot during the day," Mugavazi said.

The Zifa board member also felt the pairing in the final was a "true reflection" of the two teams strength.

"I think it is a battle of the best teams at the tournament so far and it is going to be a very difficult match.

"The organisers suspended all the yellow cards accumulated in the round robin games, so from the semi-finals onwards teams have been able to field their strongest squads".

Mugavazi said although the Amajimbos had shown that they had been together for a long time, the Young Warriors had the arsenal to match them in Saturday's final that will be preceded by a third place play off-between Zambia and Malawi tomorrow.

"A final against South Africa is something we thought would happen judging from the way they have been playing.

"The South Africans play as a unit and are very organised and I think that gave them the edge in their earlier matches but I believe now they will meet their real match in the Young Warriors.

"The good thing is that we have not had to come from behind in all our matches and we intend to keep it that way until we win the cup.

"I must also pay tribute to the Zimbabweans who are in Namibia, they have come out in their numbers to support the teenagers and this has helped the youngsters feel at home.

"This kind of support is very critical when you travel away from home especially when you have youngsters," Mugavazi said.

Zimbabwe 1 Zambia 1

(Zimbabwe won 5-4 after penalties)