Richard Nkosi

Richard Nkosi

Zimbabwe beat South 3-0 to capture the Metropolitan Cosafa Under-20 Championship at Thulamahashe Stadium in Mpumalanga yesterday.

Amajita started the game on a high note but faded as it progressed. It was sweet revenge for the Young Warriors who were knocked 2-1 by Amajita in last year's edition.

Knowledge Musana came off the bench in the 68th minute to score a hat trick that sank the local boys. He opened the scoring with his first touch after a minute on the field.

He extended the lead to 2-0 in the 74th minute, dribbling past the defence and firing beyond Jackson Mabokgwane's reach.

Musana was back in the spotlight 12 minutes later after dispossessing Wayne Matle. He raced on goal before calmly slotting home a beauty past the advancing Mabokgwane to make it 3-0.

The Young Warriors deserved to be crowned champions. They finished the tournament without conceding a goal. The South Africans also reached the final with a clean slate.

Musana later said he was delighted for scoring three goals, especially after coming off the bench. The 17-year-old plays for Aces Youth Soccer Academy in Zimbabwe.

Michael Nkambule from South Africa was voted player of the tournament while Francis Nico from Zimbabwe took the goalkeeper of tournament trophy. Namibian Lazarus Reney and Emmanuel Manyika from Zambia were the top goalscorers with five goals each.