The Zambia national team road to Ivory Coast suffered a huge set back as they were handed a huge 3-1 defeat away in Yamoussoukro.
Chipolopolo boss Aljosa Asanovic went with a 4-3-3 formation. Lubambo Musonda and Rodrick Kabwe started as wing backs with Enock Mwepu starting in a defensive midfield role.
Patson Daka started upfront with Lameck Banda and Fashion Sakala on either wing while Frankie Chisenga Musonda and Tandi Mwape partnered in the central defense.
The approach looked to be defensive with Ivory Coast being the more adventurous side.
The Elephants came close a number of times but hit the close bar in the dying minutes of the first stanza.
Asanovic made two changes at half time with Edward Chilufya and Emmanuel Banda introduced for Lameck Banda and Prince Mumba respectively.
Zambia finally tested Ali Sangare through Rodrick Kabwe. Edward Chilufya came close shortly but Sangare was equal to the task while Mwepu’s strike was blocked.
Ivory Coast’s pressure finally paid off in the 67th minute as Serge Aurier was found unmarked inside the 18 yard area to slot home a Jean Evrard Kouassi cross with easy.
The Elephants doubled the lead nine minutes later as Christian Koumé rose highest to head in from a Max Gradel corner.
Ibrahim Sangare added a third in the 89th minute finishing off a good move by Substitute Kouassi.
Patson Daka scored a consolation goal, 3-1 the match finished. Zambia will now shift their attention to Tuesday’s home clash against the Comoros Islands at the National Heroes Stadium.
Full Time
Ivory Coast 3-1 Zambia
(Serge Aurier 67′, Christian Koume 76′, Ibrahim Sangare 88’| Patson Daka 90+3′)
Zambia Starting XI: 1. Toaster Nsabata, 4. Frankie Musonda, 6. Tandi Mwape, 8. Lubambo Musonda, 9. Lameck Banda (Edward Chilufya 46′) 10. Fashion Sakala, 11. Enock Mwepu (c), 13. Roderick Kabwe, 17. Kings Kangwa, 19. Prince Mumba (Emmanuel Banda 46′) 20. Patson Daka
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES : 18. Mwenya Chibwe, 16. Charles Kalumba, 3. Benedict Chepeshi, 5. Miguel Chaiwa, 7. Kelvin Kampamba,15. Dominic Chanda, 21. Rally Bwalya, 22. Gamphani Lungu, 23. Shemmy Mayembe
IVORY COAST
- Ali Sangare. 3. Ghilslain Konan, 4. Jean Michael Seli 6. Willy-Arnaud Zobo Bolly, 13’ Jeremie Boga (Wilfred Zaha 64′), 14. Simon Deli, 15. Max Alain Gradel (Paul Akouokou 87′) , 17. Serge Aurier (c), 18. Ibrahim Sangare, 20. Kouakou Kouame (Karim Konate 87′) , 22. Sebastian Haller (Jean Evrard Kouassi 64′)
How does qualification to next round in this group work Top two or what?
Lesotho seem on their way out already.
At the end of the round the top most team with more points qualify. If Ivory Coast win the group the second placed will qualify. But if Ivory Coast finish 2nd, 3rd or 4th they still qualify accompanied by the top most team. Basically CIV are playing for pride, taking the games as friendlies and not under any pressure at all!
It is only 1 team to qualify, Ivory coast already have the first position as the host. Zambia is also looks to be on its way out, a loss or draw to comoros on Tuesday and calculations start
The teams that played at last Afcon early this year have an advantage! They appear to have corrected the mistakes, and are well prepared for afcon 2023!
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Zambia will continue to suffer defeat if its back line continues to collapse under pressure. Too much ball watching and the usual Achilles heal of failing to man mark strikers..
Toaster Nsabata always makes the mistake of keeping his hands at pocket level. A good keeper keeps his hands at shoulder Kevel as the best position to react to any ball.
Nsabata performed very well! He actually suprised me yesterday, with his improved perfomance. Our defensive formation was not up to the needed level.
We are lacking players in 3 positions that is number 2, 3 and 6 as long as
we don’t have players in those positions forget about 2023 afcon
Lúbambo musonda Rodrick kabwe and Enock mwepu were wrongly placed they weren’t playing in their usual positions that is what cost as the game
To me Ivory Coast were the strongest of all our opponents and it was never going to be easy playing them.. I believe it was a blessing in disguise to start with them away. Now that this game is out and we have received a wake up call, we need to concentrate on wiring the other teams in the group home and away, including IC when they come calling in Lusaka.
So we start with the Comoros game in 3 days time.
Let’s Go Zambia, Let’s Go.
Gentlemen if that boy from ZANACO is not injured please bring him in that holding midfield role. Boyd Mulenga. He will not get intimidated by anyone playing football. you will prove me right. He has the game to allow attack. Try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOhvvCnHlAg
Smooth footballer.
I agree with you guys about our need for 2,3 fullbacks because we are currently playing wingers in those positions. I also agree on a defensive midfielder. Mwepu is not an effective defensive midfielder, also against Ivorycoast he looked to hold his own, but they shifted strategies and stopped trying to drive through the middle and used the wings.
We need a defensive midfielder (number 6) and fullbacks ASAP!
The other biggest issue I saw on this team is a lack of team spirit. This comes with having such a young team. If you look at the players reactions on that first goal. There was a lot of pointing and blaming. There was a time when the older more experienced Chintu Kampamba was partnering a very young Stophilla Sunzu and Sunzu I think scored an own goal in a friendly. Kampamba Chintu was the first to tap that young boy on the shoulder and kept his head in the game. We need that team spirit and you need to inject some experience and leadership in this team.