Young Warriors turn on a hopeless show

Zambia 5 - 1 Zimbabwe
THE Young Warriors turned on a hopeless show as they opened their 2016 COSAFA Under-20 tournament in embarrassing fashion with a heavy defeat at the hands of Zambia at Moruleng Stadium yesterday.

An 87th minute penalty consolation by Bukhosi Sibanda did little to salvage any pride for the Young Warriors. Interestingly they had held on until just five minutes before the breather when the defence allowed Zambia's pressure to pay off as they took the lead through Patson Daka, who fired past goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.

With seconds to the half-time whistle they doubled their lead through forward Edward Chilufya. On the hour mark Chrispen Sakulanda broke away from the static defence to chip the ball over the Young Warriors 'keeper and surely, if this man will truly be our third-choice option in Gabon next month, the approach to this one calls for a selection review from Calisto Pasuwa.

Chilufya struck a fourth in the 80th minute and Moses Nyondo completed the rout in the 90th minute. That Premiership Rookie of the Year Prince Dube was thrown deep in midfield, instead of leading the attack, should raise questions if coach Mandla Mpofu and his technical department have ever watched the Bosso star in action. In a tournament opener, Swaziland beat Botswana 2-0 courtesy of Bhekani Mthembu and Ali Matse strikes.

Starting line-ups:
Zimbabwe XI: Chadya Nelson, Angel Mawere, Bukhosi Ncube, Kapuya Last, Learnmore Muyambo, Blessing Sibanda, Bukhosi Sibanda, Amos Ncube, Prince Dube, King Nasama, Edwin Phiri.

Zambia XI: Mangani Banda, Moses Nyondo, Prosper Chiluya, Solomon Sakala, Chrispen Sakulanda, Fashion Sakala, Enock Mwepu, Shemmy Mayembe, Edward Chilufya, Boyd Musonda, Patson Daka.