UNDER-20 national team coach, Charles Bwale, has appealed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to investigate the Burundi under-20 team for suspected age cheating.

Zambia on Saturday edged Burundi 1-0 in the Niger 2019 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations final round first leg qualifier at Nkoloma Stadium.

Zesco forward Lameck Banda scored an all important goal for the home side in the 87th minute after both sides struggled to find the back of the net.

Banda, however, will not play the return leg this weekend following a red card he was given in Saturday’s match.

He was sent off immediately after scoring for accruing a second yellow card.

The ecstatic striker took off his shirt as he was celebrating his goal and Cameroonian referee Effa Essuma did not hesitate to send the striker for an early shower.

Bwale commended his team for the win but expressed disappointment with Burundi whom he alleged they brought over age players.

“I am a little disappointed with Burundi. Also though I may not have the facts, I can tell that the most of the players they brought are not under-20. The officials at CAF may look in to this matter. At first I heard a complaint from Sudan but today just by looking at them I could tell that some of the guys are are not genuine. That is why my boys found it difficult…they squad they brought is not fair to African football,” Bwale said.

Bwale said Zambia will build on the first leg lead to qualify to the Africa Cup finals.
The return leg is set for Burundi this weekend.

And Burundi coach Bifpubusa Joslin defended his players saying they are all under 20.
Joslin said most people from Burundi are generally huge.

“My players are genuinely under-20. They may look old because most of the people from Burundi are huge,” he said.

Joslin believes his team has the capacity to turn tables around in the return said.
The winner of the final round will qualify to the Africa Cup finals in Niger next year.