Malawi Under 17 Thrashed in SA, AYC Qualification in Limbo
The Malawi Under-17 National Football Team’s chances of getting a 2021 CAF Under-17 Cup of Nations qualification slot, have been dealt a blow after they were thumped 6-2 by Zambia in a COSAFA Youth Championship match in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
The Junior Flames needed to beat the Young Chipolopolo to increase their chances of finishing amongst the two top-ranked teams to qualify for Morocco next year.
The win means Zambia will finish in the top two in the four-team mini-pool, enough to reach Sunday’s final, and so they have already earned their spot in Morocco at the continental finals next year.
It remains to be seen just who will join them, with one between the hosts South Africa and Malawi set to follow, though the former has an advantage on goal difference.
Malawi will need all three points and score over 4 goals against Angola to ensure their place in the final.
That is because the match between the two finished 2-2, which means head-to-head record is not applicable to separate them.
It will come down to goal difference, and with South Africa currently on +1 and Malawi on -4, the Junior Flames have it all to do.
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
South Africa 2 (Shabalala 45’, Francis 61’) Angola 1 (Kossi 56’)
Zambia 6 (J. Banda 11’, 44’, 49’, Ng’ambi 16’, Mumba 46’, Khumalo 84’) Malawi 2 (Mphasi 58’, 72’)
The final round of pool matches will be played simultaneously on Thursday, with both kicking off at 15h30.
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