Wenslus Murape
ZIMBABWE suffered a penalty shootout heartbreak as they failed to clear the final hurdle and qualify for the 2025 AFCON Under-20 finals.
The Young Warriors fought from 0-2 down in the first half against Zambia to force the game into a shootout.
In what was a one-sided first half, Zambia’s Mumba Mwale scored early in the game when he fired the ball into the roof of the net following a deflection.
Zambia skipper David Simukonda led by example when he connected with a cross from Emmanuel Mwanza to make the score 2-0 inside 25 minutes.
Zimbabwe were the better team in the second half and their hard work paid off when Prince Ndlovu came off the bench to score with an overhead-kick.
Zimbabwe were then awarded a penalty after Simukonda was fouled in the box.
Denzel Mapuwa’s penalty was saved but Ndlovu completed his brace as he equalised from the rebound to make it 2-2. That sent the game to penalties and after both sides had an early miss, Zambia eventually triumphed 6-5 to reach the decider.
Zambia will meet South Africa in tomorrow’s final.
Online Reporter