U-23 AFCONQS: Zambia through to final round

The Zambia U23 National Team has progressed to the final round of the Morocco 2023 U23 AFCON Qualifiers. 

This follows the Young Bullets 1-0 win at the National Heroes Stadium to edge Sierra Leone 2-1 on aggregate. 

The Oswald Mutapa tutored outfit came into the match on the back of a 1-1 draw played in Monrovia, Liberia. 

It was Substitute Andrew Phiri who was the hero of the day as he netted a beautiful goal in the 66th minute to send the Stadium into a frenzy. 

The match started on a slow note but it was Zambia who looked dangerous early on, Golden Mashata sent his shot wide in the 24th minute with only the goalkeeper to beat. 

Patrick Gondwe had a chance to open the scores at the half hour mark after Zambia were awarded a free kick at the edge of the box but he hit into the wall. 

Mashata had another chance to put Zambia in the lead after getting through on goal in the 37th minute but again his weak shot was easily dealt with by the Sierra Leone goalie. 

The match went to the break level at 0-0. 

In the second half Sierra Leone came back looking a little more determined with John Camara proving to be a menace in the Zambia flesh. 

At the hour mark Mutapa made two changes introducing Andrew Phiri and Chipyoka Songa for Patrick Gondwe and Golden Mashata. 

Phiri needed only six minutes to make a mark as he netted a beautiful goal to put Zambia in the lead. 

Zambia almost added a second with a beautiful move that saw Joshua Mutale free on goal but it was flagged for offside. 

The Young Bullets held on to win the match, 1-0 and 2-1 on aggregate to secure qualification to the final round of qualifiers. 

Zambia will now  face Egypt or Eswatini in the final round to be played next March.