South Africa U20 secured the Cosafa U20 Cup title after a 2-0 win over Zambia U20 at the Campo da ABB on Saturday afternoon.
Both South Africa and Zambia had already booked their places at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations by virtue of reaching the final.
It was a good start for Raymond Mdaka’s team who started on the front foot, creating several early chances.
And it was 1-0 to South Africa in just the fifth minute, as Shandre Campbell’s well-struck shot with the left foot flew into the goal.
Amajita dominated the early proceedings with Campbell, Siyabonga Mabena and Jody Ah-Shene causing all sorts of problems for the young Chipolopolo team.
But from the 15th minute, Zambia began to create a few opportunities, at first mainly from long-range and failed to trouble Fletcher Lowe-Smythe, as they struggled to penetrate Amajita’s miserly defence who had not conceded a goal leading into the final. And when on target, with a few shots, Lowe-Smythe showed his qualities pulling off a couple of good saves.
Just before the break Ah Shene doubled the lead, firing in after a good buildup by Mabena. 2-0 at halftime.
The Zambians threw the kitchen sink at Raymond Mdaka’s side in the second half but Amajita held firm with the 17-year-old stopper Lowe-Smythe making some impressive saves added to the defensive resilience from the back-four.
And while Ah Shene saw a spectacular goal after an impressive passage of play alongside Mabena, ruled out, South Africa managed to see out the game in Mozambique.
It proved as a major milestone for Mdaka and his troops en route to the 2025 edition of the U20 AFCON.
