Amajita were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations U20, following their 1-0 defeat against Zambia in the semi-finals at the National Heroes Stadium on Wednesday.

The Young Chipolopolo got off to a lively start in the opening exchanges of the match and looked threatening down the flank for most of the opening 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, Amajita were on the back foot for most of the first half and were forced to respond from the counter-attack.

Despite the Zambian’s dominating possession, the home side were restricted to taking their efforts from distance, which failed to trouble Amajita goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto.

Amajita had their first opportunity at goal in the 35th minute, when Teboho Mokoena volleyed his effort over the crossbar from inside the area.

However, neither side could break the deadlock in the closing stages of the opening half, as the match went into the half-time interval locked at 0-0.

The Zambians continued to threaten in the second half, but a lack of composure in the final third let them down.

Thabo Senong’s side should have taken the lead in the 72nd minute when Mokoena setup up Mbatha in the area, but the midfielder blazed his effort over the crossbar from 12 yards out.

Zambia came close to breaking the deadlock in the 81st minute, but Mwepu hit the crossbar with Mpoto well beaten by his effort.

However, the scoreline remained locked at 0-0 until the final whistle, forcing the semi-final tie into extra time.

Zambia eventually broke the deadlock in the 110th minute, when Edward Chilufya rose well to head the ball into the back of the net from a resulting free-kick, to make it 1-0.

Zambia held on for the win.

The Young Chipolopolo held onto their 1-0 lead until the final whistle to book their place in the finals of the African Cup of Nations.