Chipolopolo’s slim chances of qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup in Cameroon ended on Thursday night following a 3-3 home draw against African champions Algeria in the penultimate Group H match in Lusaka.
This is the third straight time Zambia is missing out on Africa Cup qualification.
Coach Micho’s twice came from behind to force a draw at the National Heroes Stadium in the capital city.
The visitors led 2-0 inside the first 25 minutes with goals from Ramiz Ghezzal and Islam Slimani.
Striker Patson Daka ensured that Zambia reduced the deficit to 2-1 going into the half time break when converting a 33rd minute penalty after he was fouled in the box.
Midfielder Clatous Chama headed in the equaliser from Augustine Mulenga’s cross seven minutes after the restart.
Three minutes later the Algerians were back in the driving seat with Slimani completing his brace at National Heroes Stadium but Daka rescued Zambia from a home loss when making it 3-3 from another penalty.
Referee Ali Adelaid from Comoros pointed to the spot for the second time on the night when second half substitute Moses Phiri was fouled in the box.
Zambia almost scored the winner four minutes away from the final whistle when Daka saw his close range strike ruled out for offside.
Algeria, who have already qualified for the AFCON, stay top of Group H on 11 points with second placed Zimbabwe moving to eight points following their 1-0 win over Botswana earlier on Thursday.
Zambia and Botswana have four points apiece with Chipolopolo remaining rooted at the bottom.
Meanwhile, Zambia faces Zimbabwe in the last group match on Monday away in Harare in a formality encounter on the same day Algeria will be hosting Botswana in the north.
What an embarrassment. The FAX Executive and coach must go.
The level of comments on this article though shows how disinterested people are in Chipolopolo.
Football decline after Kalu left. Thats what happens when you put pipo with no vision in the driving seat. Fail, Fail,Fail!!!!!
How do you expect to make the world cup when you always want to qualify for Afcon mathematically. Losing to Botswana was indication that the team is not there.
I feel for the players but the overall hierarchy must be uprooted
That is Kamanga for you my dear. How do you define failure? I thought Kamanga has failed but he was re-elected with sounding victory. Kamanga should have resigned or he must resign if he has got any more morals left in him. Football is about wining, ATASE. Zambia is beautiful country where failure is celebrated.
Enough is Enough Kamanga should pack his bags, Let munaile try his luck.
Is Kamanga the coach? Is Kamanga the defense that allows in silly goals?
Leave the administrators
Sake the coach
We just failed to put our act together. Perhaps an issue of over planning in the end you get it wrong. Zambia we never learn, i thought after the Moroccans humbled us with two early goals at the CHAN we were goin to learn. But the same happened conceding two early goals putting the whole team into panic. The players we have are just as good as other players because they perform where they come from. We applied a wrong formation right from the start and only improved towards the end. Its not Kamanga who was playing and if you think that is the way he will be removed from office you are wasting time because you are stark with him the coming four years. So learn to support each other for the good of the Country.
My guy, when a team is not performing, its the coach to blame. The defense did not select itself, the coach did.
Sack all, coach was hired by administrators. What has that coach achieved?