Zambia continued its African Nations Cup qualifying campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory over Mozambique in Maputo. A first half goal by James Chamanga was added to in injury-time by his replacement, Emmanuel Mayuka, the result putting Chipolopolo in second place in Group C behind leaders, Libya. The two are due to meet on October 7th in Lusaka in what is likely to be the group’s deciding fixture, the winners qualifying automatically for next year’s tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Should Dario Bonetti’s men finish in second place, they will then have to hope to be one of the best runners-up in qualifying groups A-J. This route has been complicated somewhat by the withdrawal of Mauritania from Group F, making that now a three team group. This brings into effect the rule whereby teams finishing second in a group of four will only be measured by their results against those in first and third places (in Zambia’s case this is likely to be Libya and Mozambique respectively). This rule ensures parity for those teams coming second in a three team group, and means that Chipolopolo’s next game, the return fixture against Mozambique in Lusaka in June, is crucial. Zambia is currently the fifth-best second placed team behind Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria and Benin. Chipolopolo’s other remaining fixture is in Comoros on September 2nd.
The win over Mozambique saw Zambia rise eight places to 89th in the FIFA World Rankings, 21st in the CAF region.
Zambia team vs Mozambique: Kennedy Mweene, Kampamba Chintu, Francis Kasonde, Joseph Musonde, Stophira Sunzu, Isaac Chansa, Rainford Kalaba, Noah Chivuta (Henry Nyambe Mulenga 60’), Christopher Katongo, Collins Mbesuma (Given Singulumu 69’), James Chamanga (Emmanuel Mayuka 69’)
Emmanuel Mayuka seals victory for Zambia
