Zambia bounced back from their defeat by Algeria with a 2-0 victory over Togo in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group I qualifier at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Albert Kangwanda’s early strike and Eliya Mandanji’s stoppage-time finish secured three points for the Chipolopolo Boys, who responded strongly after Friday’s 3-1 defeat in Algeria.
The result moves Zambia up to second place in Group I with three points, one behind leaders Algeria, who came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Burundi.
Interim coach George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina made two changes to the side that started against Algeria, with Patson Daka and Joseph Liteta dropping to the bench and Obino Chisala and David Simukonda coming into the starting XI.
Togo coach Patrice Neveu made three changes to the team that defeated Burundi 1-0, bringing in Charles Abi, Samsindin Ouro and Loic Bessile.
Zambia made the perfect start when Kangwanda opened the scoring after just three minutes with a powerful finish from inside the box.
The hosts continued to threaten and came close to doubling their advantage in the 15th minute when a dangerous cross from the right found Kingston Mutandwa at the far post. Togo goalkeeper Malcolm Bacola was caught out of position, but the visitors managed to clear the ball off the line.
Mutandwa then missed another opportunity four minutes later when Kangwanda picked him out unmarked in the box following a swift counter-attack, but the Servette FC striker’s shot was very tame.
The match was interrupted in the 21st minute when the floodlights at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium went off.
Play resumed after an 18-minute delay, with Togo immediately looking for an equaliser. Samsindin Ouro came close with a powerful effort that narrowly missed the Zambia goal.
Matthews Banda was booked shortly before half-time for a high elbow on Dermane Karim, while Kevin Denkey forced Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza into action in stoppage time after chasing down a poor back pass.
The first half eventually ended with Zambia holding a 1-0 lead after an extended period of stoppage time caused by the floodlight failure.
Zambia were dealt an injury blow early in the second half when Miguel Chaiwa was forced off in the 53rd minute, with Owen Tembo taking his place.
Another injury forced Lwandamina into a change in the 65th minute as Simukonda was replaced by Lameck Banda. The former Lecce winger almost made an immediate impact, but his effort was blocked.
Lwandamina made a further double change in the 73rd minute, withdrawing Mutandwa and Fashion Sakala for Gamphani Lungu and Eliya Mandanji.
Togo pushed for an equaliser late on, but Zambia held firm before sealing the victory in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Mandanji finished from close range after being picked out by Matthews Banda to give Zambia a 2-0 victory and a valuable three points.
The result puts Zambia second in Group I on three points, while Algeria remain top on four after their 2-2 draw with Burundi.
Zambia will now look to build on the victory as their campaign continues.
THIS SHOWS PATSON DAKA PLAYING GAMES ONLY GIVES US LESS CHANCES OF WINNING.
WHOLE GAME CANT SHOOT 1 SHOT ON OR OFF TARGET.NO PRESSURE UPFRONT MAKES US LOSE GAMES.
WE HAVE GOOD STRIKERS LET US USE THEM NOT AN OVERRATED PLAYER.
ITS NOT NAMES AND GISTORY ITS CURRENT PERFOMANCES AND FORM THAT WIN GAMES.