Pfupa hits hat-trick as Young Warriors thrash Mauritius 4-1

Zimbabwe is through to the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Under-23 qualifiers after a 6-1 aggregate victory over Mauritius.

The Young Warriors sealed their place with a convincing 4-1 win in the second leg played at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex in Mauritius on Tuesday.

Portsmouth U18 forward Elisha Pfupa was the hero, scoring a first-half hat-trick. He opened the scoring in the 14th minute and doubled the lead five minutes later.

Mauritius pulled one back towards the half-hour mark, but Pfupa restored Zimbabwe’s two-goal cushion with his third in the 40th minute to complete his hat-trick.

Brentford U21 forward David Chigwada then capped a dominant first half with Zimbabwe’s fourth.

There were no goals in the second half as Zimbabwe held on for the win, having gone into the match in control of the tie after a 2-0 victory in the first leg at the National Sports Stadium last week.

Zimbabwe will now face Mali, who received a first-round bye, in the second round as they continue their campaign for a place at the 2027 AFCON Under-23 finals.

The tournament also serves as part of the qualification pathway for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

More: Soccer24

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