Zambia’s journey for a possible fourth appearance at the CHAN tournament ended on Saturday after a 1-0 defeat to Mozambique at Lusaka’s Heroes Stadium.
The Black Mambas will now face Malawi in the final round.
Straight from winning the 2022 Cosafa Cup, Zambia went into the tie as favourites but were stunned by a well drilled Mozambique side.
Zambia coach named an attacking side with Zesco United’s Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba joining Red Arrows duo Ricky Banda and Albert Kangwanda in attack.
On the hour mark with scores still goalless, Zambia coach Aljosa Asanovic replaced Kangwanda with Jimmy Mukeya.
Zambia pushed for a goal but failed to penetrate Mambas’ low block.
Against the run of play, Mozambique caught Zambia on the break to grab a goal thanks to Lau King, in the 81st minute as the home crowd were stunned.
After the Mambas released their poison, the Zambian players struggled to find their way.
Asanovic tried to inject fresh legs in the form of Saddam Yusuf Phiri and Harrison Chisala for Kelvin Kapumbu and Patrick Gondwe but that didn’t yield anything.
Zambia will now shift to the Ivory Coast 2024 African Cup of Nations qualifier.
Zambia XI: Charles Kalumba – Benedict Chepeshi, Dominic Chanda, Allan Kapila, Luka Chamanga – Kelvin Kapumbu (Saddam Yusuf Phiri 80′), Patrick Gondwe (Harison Chisala 80′), Joseph Mutale – Kelvin Mubanga Kapumbu, Albert Kangwanda (Jimmy Mukeya 60′), Ricky Banda
Unused Subs: Lawrence Mulenga (gk), Luka Banda, Prosper Chiluya
Standby: Golden Mashata, Kingstone Mutandwa, Cyril Mwenya Chibwe
Coach:
Now we can prepare for Afcon on a serious note.Lesotho is not going to hand us victory on a silver plate,believe me prepare for another disappointment.This is what is called reality check
We did not learn anything from the AWCON,that history does not count these days.
My posts have disappeared and reappeared in different wording in a different platform before. I was the first one to drop a comment here today and guess what, it is not there. What exactly nos happening