The under-17 boys football team from Zambia has won the COSAFA championship.
Zambia won the gold medal at the region five games in Lilongwe, Malawi, thanks to a goal from Kelvin Phiri in the 59th minute.
Zambia has defeated South Africa twice in this competition, the first time by the same score in the group stages.
Zambia generated several chances in a closely contested final against South Africa.
It is a double blessing, according to Ian Bakala, to win the gold and be selected for Algeria’s entire energy Afcon.
Coach Duncan Crowie of South Africa said the contest with Zambia was challenging.
The triumph, according to sports minister Elvis Nkandu, was sweet retaliation for the girls team’s earlier-day loss against South Africa in the finals, which resulted in silver instead of gold.
