ZAMBIA THRASHES SOUTH AFRICA IN HANDBALL
THE Zambia Under-20 Handball team has thrashed South Africa 60-15 to set up a meeting with Mozambique in the semifinals of the 2024 the 2024 International Handball Federation (IHF) Zone Six Games taking place in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Zambia finished Group A with an unbeaten record after defeating Namibia and Lesotho before the sweet win over South Africa.
“We are very happy to beat a big country like South Africa. They have not prepared so well for this tournament but they have many schools and clubs with big tournaments in their provinces so I think it is a good result” said coach Tonni Kjaer after the victory.
As Zambia prepares to face Mozambique tomorrow, Kjaer is worried about some players who have picked illnesses while in Zimbabwe.
We watched Mozambique play and I can say they are a lot better than the teams we have played so far and I hope the players can step up. I hope we won’t have more players getting sick. Yesterday, we had one player getting sick and today two players are sick so Friday I hope everyone will be ready and that we can give it a good shot in the semifinals and hopeful get to the finals,” he said.
Meanwhile, Under-20 team captain Enock Banda is confident that Mozambique will not give Zambia a tough time when the two sides face off for a spot in the finals.
The game against South Africa wasn’t bad. South Africa were a better opponent and they gave us a good game but we have managed to beat them and win all the three games in our group because of our hard work and concentration.
“We play Mozambique in the semis what is remaining is for us to reach the finals because Mozambique are not that tough. We have already won and to our fans following these games we urge them to believe in us because we are coming back with the trophy,” Banda said.
Meanwhile, the Under-18 boys team coached by Anders Caselgreen topped Group B after beating eSwatini 43-10 to set up a meeting with South Africa in the semifinals.
The best performers at the ongoing championship featuring eight teams will qualify for the IHF continental events, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for next year.