Zambia stormed the finals of the Cosafa Cup 2022 following a thrilling 4-3 victory over Senegal at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.
And the five times Champions will face Namibia on Sunday in the final with kickoff at 19h00. Namibia beat Mozambique 1-0 in the other semi final.
Zesco United midfielder Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba produced a masterclass as he was involved in three goals.
The 25 year old gave the Copper Bullets 1-0 lead with a long range but his goal was cancelled out by Lamine Camara five minutes later.
In the 35th minute, Spencer Sautu restored Zambia’s lead with a goalmouth scramble to send the Southern Africa giants to the break with a 2-1 lead.
After the break, Red Arrows striker Ricky Banda scored off a rebound after the Senegalese goalkeeper had parried off Kampamba’s 25 yard strike.
Kampamba then showed magic down the left flank with a deft touch into the roof of the net from a tight angle as Zambia went 4-1 up.
At that point it was total humiliation for the West Africans.
With Wednesday’s 4-2 post match penalties by the Copper Queens over the Lionesses at the Women’s African Cup of Nations in Morocco still fresh, the Senegalese had to fight back.
Late goals Jean Diouf and Moussa Ndiaye recduced Zambia’s lead to 4-3 to give the match a nerve wrecking finale.
Zambia Xi: Cyril Mwenya Chibwe – Benedict Chepeshi, Allan Kapila, Dominic Chanda, Luka Lungu (Shemmy Mayembe 67′)- Spencer Sautu(Enoch Sakala 65′), Patrick Gondwe (Joshua Mutale 66′), Kelvin Kapumbu, Prince Mumba (Albert Kangwanda 78′), Kelvin Kampamba (Dickson Chapa 78′) – Ricky Banda
Full-Time: Zambia 4-3 Senegal (Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba 17′,63′, Spencer Sautu 35′, Ricky Banda 58’| Lamine Camara 22′, El Hadji N’diaye 73′, Moussa N’diaye 90′)
Man of the Match: Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba
Congratulations Chipolopolo guys. Namibia are not as strong as Senegal but they must not be underated! However, if there’s one change coach Asanovic must make is the goal-keeper. Let him risk by trying out Charles Kalumba or Lawrence Mulenga! This is because from point of view, Mwenya Chibwe didn’t put in much effort to prevent at least one of the goals the Senegalese scored! There’s not seriousness from him like Mweene is!
Zambia should avoid unnecessary back passes
What a fantastic game this was to watch. 7 goals thriller !!. Zambia played well despite letting Senegal fight back last 12 minutes or so.
1. Kelvin Kapamba was def the best player on the pitch. He’s been with the seniour team for a while now. But Patrick Gondwe and Ricky Banda caught my eye. I’m looking at the future for Zambia. Gondwe was impressive behind Kelvin for me he was Zambia 2nd best player. He run the midfield, and his link-up play with Prince Mumba was good. Check the 3rd goal for Zambia. He is a gem. Banda did not get many chances but he held the ball well and used his physicality to his advantage. Still has a lot to learn. Mutale the sub looked promising also.
2, Our Central defense has to be sorted out. All the 3 goals Senegal scored were from the Center. A big area of concern.
3. Cyril Chibwe had a howler of a game. I would not drop him because of one game. Look at some of the games he has played. He did well. We can’t crucify him just because of this 1 game. Toaster Tsabata also was not convincing against Comoros but we should start against Lesotho in the AFCON Qualifiers. It would be a risk start a novice in goals in a Cup Final. @Mukuka I hear you bro. Zambia will never have another Kennedy Mweene or Efford Chabala again. Lets work with what we have and make them better,
Nice one🙏🙏🙏
Chibwe should surely be serious with goal keeping….!! imagine if we scored once or twice.He should not be too joky at the pitch.He must change.He should not come out of the 9 & 18 areas look at how he was beaten in the air and the dropped straight into an open net…He should improve… Otherwise Bravo chipolopolo boys job well done keep it up .
Our keeper must know the weaknesses he caused the two gools . Is being inside, mind you other teams will capitalise on the same weakness
my Comment am congollourtion chipolopolo boys for good job
Well done guys