Da Gama's boys score vital win over Zambia

02 December 2015 - 02:26 By Football reporter

Menzi Masuku and Gift Motupa put the disappointment of the CAF Confederation Cup final with Orlando Pirates behind them to help secure three vital points for the national Under-23 team against Zambia at the CAF Under-23 Championship in Senegal yesterday. They were not part of the team that lost to Senegal at the weekend and proved how important they were to the side when they both scored to inspire a come- from-behind 3-2 victory to keep alive South Africa's hopes of qualifying for the Rio Olympics.After a terrible first half against the gutsy Zambians, Owen da Gama's side came out with vigour, scoring three goals in seven minutes.The equaliser by Masuku came just two minutes into the half, the midfielder cancelling out Conlyde Luchanga's first-half goal after getting himself into a good area in the box before slotting home.Zambia were rattled and it was not long before their goalkeeper picked up the ball from the back of his net again. Motupa, the former Baroka captain, headed home the second of the match to give South Africa the lead.Motupa got another a couple of minutes later, beating the Zambian goalkeeper at the near post with a shot struck as soon as he got into the box.Da Gama, under pressure to secure qualification, made six changes to the team that lost 3-1 to hosts Senegal.The South Africans were slow to find rhythm and almost went a goal behind before the half-hour , but Benedict Chepeshi's thunderbolt was brilliantly saved by Jody February, who replaced Ricardo Goss in the starting lineup.February could do nothing to stop Conlyde Luchanga's effort 10 minutes before the break as the Zambians took the lead against a South African side that could have defended better.A cross came from the right flank and Luchanga was left alone to volley it home.South Africa dominated the early stages of the second period with three goals, but Zambia, beaten 2-1 in their first group match against Tunisia at the weekend, ensured a nervy finish when they pulled one back 17 minutes from time.South Africa will play Tunisia in their final group game on Saturday, a team they know very well, having played them twice in friendly matches in September. There's no room for error. ..

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