…Nigerian blood Micheal Dokunmu led South Africa to victory over Zambia
South Africa defeated Zambia 3-2 in their second game in Group B to book their 2023 African Nations Cup hopes of qualifying for the quarter-final alive.
The Amajimbos lost their group opener with a 2-0 defeat to Morocco while Zambia fell to a 1-0 loss to Nigeria.
Following their previous losses, both teams sweated in search of a winner to revive their 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign defeats in the hand of Morocco and Nigeria respectively.
Vicky Mkhawana gave South Africa the lead in the 13th minute before he added the second on 31 minutes.
On the stroke of halftime Emmanuel Mwanza pulled a goal back for Zambia to make it 2-1, BSNSports reports.
Three minutes into the second half, Mwanza got his second goal to complete the comeback for Zambia.
However, in the 76th minute Nigerian blood Michael Dokunmu scored the match winner for South Africa.
Born to Nigerian parents in South Africa, Michael Dokumnu, was a threat all evening for the COSAFA U-17 champions, and crowned his performance with an important goal, showing excellent composure inside the area before firing the ball beyond Zambian goalkeeper Shadrick Kalayt.
In the group’s other game played earlier on Wednesday, Morocco thrashed Nigeria 1-0 to secure their quarter-finals ticket.
Michael Dokumnu will now face his fatherland, Nigeria, in the final group B game knowing a win will guarantee automatic knock-out stage spot for his adopted country, South Africa, in Algeria.
On Saturday, South Africa will take on Nigeria at the Stade Mohamed Hamaloui, Constantine, in a winner takes all final group game with qualification to the last eight at stake.
After two matches, Morocco occupy top-spot in group B with six points following a 1-0 win over second placed Nigeria on Wednesday.
Nigeria are second with three points same as South Africa while Zambia are bottom with no points.
