Friday, March 29, 2024

Dream team stun Portugal as Mr Fashion, Tiger score for Zambia

African Champions Zambia have started their 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup campaign on a strong note after they wired European representatives Portugal 2 – 1 in the opening match of group C.

Second half goals from Edward Chilufya and Fashion Sakala were enough to hand Zambia the advantage in the group

Substitute Helder managed a consolation goal in injury time.

Both sides set up playing to their strengths: Portugal limiting the space, favouring their technical prowess, Zambia sitting deep, containing and looking to strike on the break. Chances came at both ends, with Zambia being saved by Moses Nyondo – blocking Diogo Goncalves’ goal-bound strike, before the game kicked up a gear after the break.

The African champions started the quicker and made it count. Enock Mwepu’s shot wrong-footed Diogo Costa and, though the keeper produced a fine reflex save, Edward Chilufya was on hand to tap in.

With that, the game opened up. Portugal were not short of opportunities. Diogo Goncalves and Andre Ribeiro both had their share, as well as the creative Xadas – who shone in the first period and waned in the second – but spurned them.

So, when Fashion Sakala struck a solo second with 15 minutes to go, you thought it would not be the two-time Under-20 World Cup winners’ day. Shimmying past two defenders, the Spartak Moscow man fired in at the near post to seal the win. Helder struck in stoppage time following Mangani Banda’s save, but it was too little, too late.

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35 Comments

  1. WELL GOOD MATCH FOR THE YOUNG CHIPOS
    ANYWAY GHANAS _ANYWAY GHANAS BLACK SATELITE _U17
    HAVE QUALIFIED TO INDIA WORLD U17 WORLD CUP

    WELLDONE THE YOUNG CHIPOS ( ZAMBIA 2 PORTUGAL 1 )

  2. Good start for the boys, Mwepu world class in midfield and fashion did it in fashion way. Great team work, congratulations to the boys and technical team, go Zambia go.

  3. Yes, congrats boys, am happy that the score line I predicated that it will 2-1 for Zambia. Chipolopolo iyeee

  4. Congratulations guys, the wheels are in motion now after picking up maximum points . Our passing was not fluid but we hit Portugal where it matters most and that is getting the goals. Next time we want to see our boys take command of midfield n play a passing game. Defence needs to steady up as on several occasions were caught off/guard. My man of the match is Mangani Banda …excellent goalkeeping .

  5. I watched the game with crossed fingers and belief that Zambia carries the day. Thank you Lord. It has come to pass. It is plus one scalp in the Zambia scalp lagguage.
    I shed some tears though,during the course of the game as the commentator talked about the 1993 Zambia aircraft Gabon disaster.How I wished the lengendry Zambian commentator, Papa Dennis Liwewe was alive to see the rise of Zambian football. He could have definitely made some sweet commentries in relation to the game like ” It is now Zambia’s turn to launch an attack. Fashion Sakala is progressing well towards the opponents goalmouth. Open fireeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee……its a gooooooooooooooooooooooaal. Two nil to Zambiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Fashion Sakala does it in the fashionable Zambian style ……..shuffling his feet to loose his maker ………and unleashing a thunderbolt to increase the goal tally for mother Zambia”

  6. Well done boys. Game well played and a deserved win over fancied Portugal. Portugal is probably the toughest opponent in group. One more win and we qualify to the next round of matches.

  7. Next game, coach dont start Daka Patson and Luchanga at the same time. Play Emmanuel Banda who is more creative to combine well with Mwepu in midfield. Banda can shoot, create goals and play in any position in midfield and upfront. overall the boys played well, Portugal is a very strong side and technically at another level.

    • Actually we did beat them…logically this implies that we are at our own standard, of superior skills that Portugal failed to comprehend! Portugal beat Germany to get here, we have a target on our back and everyone will be very careful against us…no more mistakes, the plot thicks…

  8. Great start to the tournament by the young Zambians it was indeed a hard fought victory as Portugal pressed and didn’t allow as to string more than 3 passes, but as it has already been observed we hit Portugal were it mattered. Congrats Chipolopolo or is it tupolopolo

  9. Now everyone knows that we mean business, everyone is aware…but today we sit on this mountain top and enjoy the view…for tomorrow we go down to conquer the next giant…congrats Chipolopolo…No junior Chipolopolo…YOU ARE CHIPOLOPOLO!!

  10. Good result well deserved win Fashion sakala is the real deal this might turnout to be his worldcup , Nyondo looked soiled at the back Quicksilver will need to bring patson back to patner fashion up front.

  11. Congrats boys for gunning down the young brothers to CR7, Nani, Pepe, Deco, Figo, Pauleta, Ricardo and Christians

      • Shut up, you go to these European countries as economic refugees in numbers then you fight your ways in the European leagues. When did you last win the Africa cup? Zambia won in 2012 and the U20 won this year. Besides you west Africans are closer to Europe than we are.

  12. Now that everyone has mumbled the useless things they needed to say….I ….The soccerguru. …will speak. First. …congratulations to the boys….u will bring lots of happiness and joy to Zambia. Second …..Anita is right…..This tactic of having Conlyde. ….Paston. ….Fashion. …was tried at the Africa cup and failed. …..yet Beston. ….tried it again……With the same result….The game only changed when Emmanuel Banda came in. …..that’s when our midfield started ticking

      • Billy I actually think he’s right. I think Emmanuel Banda should start, but I don’t know for who because luchanga wasn’t bad either. Banda did change the game really. He was release good balls.

  13. Commendable and congrats our boys. I like the analysis .

    Yeah the Great Liwewe would have talked super. Shalom and God bless the Republic! Win, draw or lose, we shall praise the Lord.Viva our YYoung Chipolopolo.

  14. Great work by Zambia. Here’s my take; most of Portigals chances came from the wings. Zambias fullbacks were impressive going forward, and actually did well in one on ones in the first half. We stretched ourselves in the second half by committing the fullbacks forward which opened us up. We are going to need a lot of assistance from the wingers in the coming games. Either way, impressive win. I also wish Zambia had different gears, it looks like we are always on full throttle. We need to be able to slow down a game when we need to, but I still love the reckless abandon with which we play. The future is here gentlemen

  15. Congratulation !! I think looking at the group the rest of the team c rica and Iran look like they will be no match. beating Portugal was no mean feat- goal keeper was outstanding- if not brilliant.
    Not looking too far and taking one game at a time but surely semi final is real possibility now!!!!
    Oh Welcome back glory days!!!!!

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