Zambia woes away from home has continued with another defeat.
A locally assembled Chipolopolo side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Iraq in an international friendly match on Friday night at Baghdad’s Madina Stadium.
Iraq scored four goals – three for themselves and one a donation for visiting Zambia
Ismaeel Dergham gave Iraq a 1-0 in the 11th minute after he converted from the spot kick. Thirteen minutes later Ibrahim Ahmed added the second for the home as Iraq dominated.
With Iraq dominating play, Zambia got a lifeline with Natiq Saad scoring an own goal off an Albert Kangwanda curling free kick.
After the break, Chipolopolo coach Aljosa Asanovic brought on Kevin Kampamba, Patrick Gondwe and Alex Ng’onga and added a bit of firepower to the team.
Kangwanda, Derick Bulaya and Joshua Mutale were rested.
While Zambia continued to control the second half, the team failed to have any impact in the final third.
Substitute Kampamba came close to hitting the target for Zambia but his shot narrowly went wide.
With twelve minutes to full time, Aymen Hussein arguably scored the goal of the match after he unleashed a 25 yard scotcher which left beat the impressive Charles Kalumba in goal.
Zambia will now shift attention to next week’s friendly matches against Angola and Guinea in Portugal and France respectively.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino watched the friendly, which attracted 25,341 spectators.
Full Time: Iraq 3-1 Zambia (Ismaeel Dergham 11′ p, Ibrahim Ahmed 24′, Aymen Hussein 78′ l Natiq Saad 29′ og)
Zambia XI: Charles Kalumba -Shemmy Mayembe, Dominic Chanda, Solomon Sakala, Benedict Chepeshi (Prosper Chiluya 68′) , Prince Mumba, Miguel Chaiwa, Joshua Mutale (Patrick Gondwe 46′) – Spencer Sautu (Harrison Chisala 77′) Albert Kangwanda (Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba 46′), Derrick Bulaya (Alex Ng’onga 46′)
Referee: Youssef Saeed
First Assistant: Akram Ali
Second Assistant: Wahad Attia
Fourth Official: Ahmed Kazem
