Friday, March 29, 2024

Cosafa Cup: Chipolopolo gun down Botswana Zebras to reach semi-finals

A new look Zambia national soccer team has qualified to the semi finals of the regional Cosafa Cup tournament after they beat Botswana 2 – 1 in an exciting match played in South Africa.

Brian Mwila continued his fine form in front of goal as he handed Wedson Nyirenda’s side the lead in the 11th minute while his strike partner Justin Shonga also scored.

Allan Chibwe was brilliant in goal saving a penalty but was beaten by Ssakaeng’s deflected shot late in the match.

Zambia looked purposeful going forward and could have gone up as early as the 8th minute when the keeper spilled Mwila’s header only for the defender to clear the ball off the line.

Seconds later, Shonga found space in the six yard boxbut he shot off target with only the goalkeeper to beat from close range.

Left back Lawrence Chungu then floated a long ball from his position whose flight the Tswana defender misjudged for Mwila to perfectly control on the turn and slot home with a low curled shot in the 11th minute.

Botswana were enjoying a lot of play in the middle of the pack, but the Chipolopolo were looking dangerous going forward with Diamond Chikwekwe on the right side of attack combining well with skipper of the side Donashano Malama who was overlapping with purpose.

Zambia could have made it two in the 20th minute when a short corner resulted in a Malama cross that found Shonga’s head but he failed to make a firm contact with the ball for him to head wide.

As the half wore on, Botswana’s good play was beginning to pay and they should have leveled in the 36th minute when a header in the box beat Chibwe only for Malama to clear te ball off the line.

A moment later Botswana shot wide from within the box thanks to Malama who put pressure on the striker.

Man of the match Shonga who was combining well with Mwila then added a second in he 70th minute when he ran on to a ball in the box, steadied himself and shot across goal only for his shot to deflect into the net.

Botswana were then awarded a penalty but it only gave Chibwe in the Zambia goal to cap his fine performance with a penalty save.

He however did not have a chance when Seakanyeng”s shot was deflected for Botswana’s face saver in the 79th minute.

Botswana tried to press for the equalizer but it was too little too late.

Zambia await the winner between defending champions South Africa and Tanzania for a semi final match on Wednesday.

Zambia XI v Botswana

Allan Chibwe – Donashano Malama, Isaac Shamujompa, Webster Mulenga, Lawrence Chungu, Jack Chirwa, Diamond Chikwekwe (Godfrey Ngwenya), Mike Katiba, Justin Shonga (Solomon Sakala), Brian Mwila, Mwansa Nsofwa (Lubinda Mundia)

 

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14 Comments

  1. In my opinion Chipolopolo seemed to lack a bit of confidence and were not very comfortable on the ball.The team cohesion needs to improve as well.On the positive side, the result was vitally important because we carried the day and am sure the team will gell and play a more eye catching, flowing football as the tournament progresses.Good result!

  2. I foresee future in this team. The boys they have the fighting spirt.they were complemanting each other very well.i attribute all the mistakes commited by the boys to huge pressure from the football fratenity and supporters and the boys also wanted to impress.the boys know the task at hand. They have to deliver. Its a result oriented team. What seperate two teams at the end of the day are goals.

  3. Ziyo tembo and kondwani they should not be part of rebuilding they are too old. We need young enegertic players.in midfield Keep jersy # 17 and 19 . At the back i was impressed by the two center backs.

  4. our coach has had enough time for his team to take shape.looking at his team from tactical and technical points,there is no life,its more of a group of footballers than a team.its difficult to predict the future of chipolopolo that is if there is any.we were literally outplayed and we struggled against a non footballing nation.though we have won,I feel we are still on the drawing board.

  5. At the moment we two problems in zambian football. Number,1 its kamanga the FAZ presdent Number,2. Nyirenda the national team coach. Let’s kick out these two guys out of our football then our game will develop

  6. @ undefeated guru….u may have a point abt kicking out the coach, but not Kamanga for what?! Kalu was booted out for blatant thefts and mismanagement, just to remind u!

  7. Yes you are right about kalu,even kamanga should be kicked out because of his failed promises.the following were kamanga’s promises during his campagns”he said he will bring sanity in the selection of players at the national team both the under20 and under 23. alas he is doing the opposite,secondly he will revive the cup games in zambia example the BP top eight,the mosia cup just to mention but the few but he has failed to revive any of those cups so far,thirdly he promise that will attract the huge sporship that will be supporting the league in the country but up to now we can’t see that,He also promise us that once he is elected as FAZ presdent the national team will be playing quality friendly matches on the FIFA calender but none of that is happening so you see why I dont like kamanga, lastly youth football he also said that he will concentrate more on developing youth football but he is not even talking about it so kamanga should resgn on moro grounds that he has failed to run the association

  8. Why this talking of rebuilding have we had another nation team disaster. You can only rebuild what has been destroy.? Has Zambian soccer been destroyed for us to rebuild.? Or the national league been done away with fircsome time. I font like this talk of rebuild coach, just select a team that will win you matches period.

  9. Zambia should have a Zambia A, B & c team…players irrespective of age who can represent country at the highest level and who are gunning to be always in the first eleven.

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