A HATTRICK by Patrick Kaunda propelled Zimbabwe's Young Warriors to the top of Group C of the Metropolitan-Cosafa U-20 after thrashing hapless Lesotho 3-1 at Eldorado Stadium yesterday.

A HATTRICK by Patrick Kaunda propelled Zimbabwe's Young Warriors to the top of Group C of the Metropolitan-Cosafa U-20 after thrashing hapless Lesotho 3-1 at Eldorado Stadium yesterday.

Smarting from a 2-2 draw against Botswana on Sunday, the Methembe Ndlovu-coached Young Warriors started the match at a faster pace, bombarding their Mountain Kingdom counterparts from left, right and centre but poor finishing was their huge letdown.

However, the Warriors made amends in the 22nd minute when man of the match Kaunda rifled home a goal from close range after some superb footwork on the right by Kevin Sibanda to send the Zimbabwean fans into a frenzy.

Before Lesotho could organise their defence, Kaunda struck once more, this time with a cheeky volley to make the scoreline 2-0 before interval.

The search for goals continued for Zimbabwe when Kaunda completed his hattrick with another gem of a goal to confirm the Young Warriors as Group C log leaders.

However, Lesotho got their consolation goal through Lehlomela Ramabele with 12 minutes before regulation time.

But the fate of Zimbabwe will be decided tomorrow when Lesotho play Botswana in a deciding encounter for the Group C.

Meanwhile, Amajita host Seychelles this afternoon in a Group A encounter at Eldorado Stadium.- CAJ News