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Cape Town - The SA u23 soccer side has won their second Group A match at the CAF Under 23 African Cup of Nations, downing Zambia 3-2 at the Léopold Senghor Stadium in Dakar.
The three top African sides of this eight-team event running over two weeks will qualify for the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
After a cagey start by both sides, Amaglug-glug were presented with two excellent chances.
In the 14th minute, some brilliant interplay produced acres of space for Phakamani Mahlambi on the left hand side, but his shot was blocked by the Zambian defence as they came across to cover.
Mahlambi again found himself in behind the Zambian defence in the 19th minute, only to be flagged for offside.
After long periods on the back foot, Zambia started to make their way into the game as the half wore on.
In the 27th minute Benedict Chepeshi launched a thunderous volley from outside the box which Jody February expertly tipped over the bar.
This seemed to galvanise the Zambians and they duly opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Conlyde Luchanga lashed in a right footed volley from inside the box with the SA u23 defence ball watching, allowing the striker space between the two centre-backs.
The first half ended 0-1.
Amaglug-glug drew level one minute into the second half with Menzi Masuku poking the ball home after Zambia failed to clear a cross from the right.
Not content with only one goal, Owen da Gama's charges continued to press, forcing a corner in the 52nd minute which brought them the lead.
Keagan Dollie floated the ball in from the left finding Kwanda Mngonyama who headed across goal for Gift Motupa to head home in emphatic fashion.
Amaglug-glug were not done and it was that man Motupa who ended a flowing move just a minute later by sweeping the ball into the back of the net to extended the lead to 3-1.
In the 73rd minute, Zambia pulled a goal back through Billy Mutale who expertly found the corner of the net with a right-footed strike after the ball fell to him from a corner.
Although Zambia pressed for an equaliser, Da Gama's men held on for an important victory.
Amaglug-glug hopes are still very much alive in Group A and they now play Tunisia in their final game on 4 December at 17:00 (SA time).
Score
South Africa - 3
Masuku, Motupa (2)
Zambia - 2
Luchanga, Mutale
Teams
SA Under-23 team:
Jody February (GK), Kwanda Mngonyama, Rivaldo Coetzee, Tebogo Moerane, Abbubaker Mobara, Keagan Dolly, Gift Motupa, Menzi Masuku, Deolin Mekoa, Phakamani Mahlambi, Dumisani Zuma
Substitutes: Ricardo Goss (GK), Kyle Peters (GK), Tshepo Rikhotso, Zitha Macheke, Ryaad Norodien, Sibusiso Sibeko, Paseka Mako, Phumlani Ntshangase, Siphelele Ntshangase
Zambia Under-23 team:
Nsabata, Chepeshi, Mkandawire, Kapota, Sautu, Katema, Sakala, Lubambo, Kampamba, Luchanga, Mutale
