Zambia second best at Diamond Challenge
TWO second half goals from Kabwe Warriors midfielder Prince Mumba propelled Zambia to the summit of group A after edging neighbours Malawi 2-0 in a 2018 Mopani Copper Mines COSAFA under-20 fixture played yesterday at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Substitute Mwiya Malumo who replaced injured Lameck Banda in the 59th minute assisted Mumba with a beautiful headed pass in the eighteen yard which the former under-17 captain Mumba finished off with his right foot to hand Zambia the lead in the 62nd minute.
Mumba completed his brace five minutes before the final whistle when he beat Malawian goal keeper Charles Thom with his second attempt on target after being assisted by Edward Chilufya.
The tightly contested fixture saw both teams created scoring opportunities which were not utilized in the first half.
Zambia’s first scoring attempt came in the 18th when striker Albert Kangwanda’s shot on target was blocked for a corner kick.
Kings Kangwa’s had his chance to break the deadlock in the 26th minute but saw his long range shot saved by Thom two minutes before Malawi’s first attempt on target through striker Peter Banda was blocked by a Zambian defender.
Thom continued to impress in the first half and denied midfielder Oliver Lumbiya from finding the back of the net in the 33rd minute for the half to end scoreless.
The young chipolopolo dominated play in the second half after the changes made by Coach Charles Bwale who introduced Prince Mumba and Mwiya Malumo for Emmanuel Mwinde and Lameck Banda respectively.
Bwale also withdraw Albert Kangwanda for Chanda Mukuka.
The substitutes went on to make a positive impact and combined well upfront to hand Zambia the lead in the 62nd minute, thanks to Mumba whose brace ensures Zambia’s superb start in the youth championship.
The win over Malawi escalated Zambia to the summit of group A with three points.
Meanwhile, Angola under-20 team came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Lesotho in the opening fixture off the 2018 COSAFA U-20 Championship at Nkana Stadium, Kitwe. THE Zambia netball team thrashed Namibia 68-36 to finish the 2018 Diamond Challenge netball championship in second position with six points.
Meanwhile tournament hosts, South Africa with two teams in the championship were crowned 2018 Diamond Challenge netball champions after their best squad, the Proteas maintained their unbeaten record following their 73-44 humiliation of Zimbabwe in the last game played on Saturday night in Polokwane City.
Zambia dominated play from the start, playing the first quarter at a furious pace to race out to a 20-17 lead.
They simply built the lead from the first quarter to finish as 68-36 winners over Namibia who finished the championship on sixth position with no points after losing all their matches.
Zambia started the championship on a poor note losing 48-46 to South Africa’s President xii side.
The Catherine Chanda- led netballers however redeemed themselves and put up spirited fights in the second and third fixtures, beat Zimbabwe and Botswana 57-51 and 57-41 respectively before losing 57-36 to eventual champions South Africa’s’ Spar Proteas.
Despite failing to beat the two sides from South Africa, Zambia finished as second best from the fine countries, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe who competed in the five days of scintillating netball action at the Ngoako Ramathlodi Sports Complex in South Africa.
Zambia’s shooter Diana Banda was awarded the best shooter of the tournament while South Africa’s Bongiwe Msomi, Rome Dreyer and Phumza Mawemi were awarded Most Valuable player, Best Center court and best defender respectively.
Meanwhile, 2019 Netball World Cup reps, Zimbabwe finished in fourth place at the Diamond Challenge Cup following their 73-44 defeat to South Africa.
Zimbabwe put up a spirited display in their final Diamond Challenge Encounter, but South Africa’s pedigree shone through after registering a convincing win.