Zambia 3 Cote D’Ivoire 0
By BENEDICT TEMBO
Zambia have qualified for the Africa Cup following a 3-0 victory over the 2024 hosts Cote D’Ivoire at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Goals from Patson Daka, Kings Kangwa and an own goal by Cote D’Ivoire.
This is the first time the Chipolopolo have qualified for the continental showpiece since 2015.Zambia, the 2012 Africa Cup winners took the lead through an own by Serge Aurier who was put under pressure by Fashion Sakala.
Leicester City forward Patson Daka doubled Zambia’s lead in the 47th minute.
Croatia-based midfielder Klings Kangwa made it three for Zambia from a rebound.
China-domiciled China-domiciled defender Stoppila Sunzu was a rock in the Zambian defence as he brought stability, leadership and confidence.
Field Marshall Stopilla Sunzu was widely cheered by the fans and he did not disappoint.
His partnership with Frankie Musonda was superb, so was the goalkeeping prowess of Power Dynamos vault guard Lawrence Mulenga.
Mulenga, who was making his debut for the Chipolopolo made some outstanding saves to deny the Elephants of Ivory Coast the much needed goals.
Fans turned up in huge numbers to rally Avram Grant’s boys.
Overwhelmed to the moon and back, Israeli gaffer Grant expressed happiness with the result and more happy for the fighting spirit. Grant said the Chipolopolo were the better team, adding that his bullets could have scored more if the players did a good job.
“I think the team is doing well with the improved second game against the was better even in this one we have improved the goalkeeper (Lawrence Mulenga) did the good job,” he said
Grant said he is happy that the Chipolopolo are going to the Africa Cup after a long time.
Captain Lubambo Musonda who put in a decent shift said the team has improved and confidence is showing in play. “It is really a positive thing, it is really a positive thing that coach Grant is with us,” Musonda said .
On Sunzu, Musonda said the 2012 Africa Cup winner is a senior player who has a lot of experience.
“He is just there to help us play and become better players it is a good thing to have him in the team and it is a great things that we play together,” Musonda said
The stadium was full, the atmosphere electric. It was a brilliant performance from the Chipolopolo.
Zambia top group H with 12 points, two ahead of already qualified Ivory Coast going into a dead rubber fixture away to Comoros Island in September.
Comoros have six points while Lesotho anchor the bottom with a point.
And they qualified because I, Hakaine Hichilema trained them to excel, my name brough fearto ivonians. After COMESA chairmanship now my tm chipolopolo is leader of the group. These are the fruits of good policis of the UPND.
I don’t agree that Zambia was a better team. I am Zambian but I need to be truthful, Zambia was only spurred into action by an own goal from the Ivorian player. If Zambia goes with that type of football at Africa Cup, then guaranteed is early exit. And somethings should be obvious, please, Lameck Banda should always start.
How much was the keeper paid? Just asking
Goals came but the team is not yet there. The midfield leaves a lot to be desired. Let’s not get excited yet, there is work to do. Congrats Zambia.
Who does not that the game was bought? Look at the performance of the Ivory coast team was deliberately below par. Look at how their strikers fumbled at the goal….!!! Look at the deiberate mistakes of the Ivory Coast defence and their goal keeper. It was clearly a passage to the finals thru some kind of bribery of some sort. What a shame!!!
Qualifying through bribes…kikikiki!
We must not go to AFCON to participate. Since we have won it before we must go there to win the trophy. Our coach should realise we wont be satisfied with being “Also-rans” That football wont win us the cup.
I think it is best not to be excited by this result. Ivory coast had already qualified for the tournament and could easily have been bought as others have stated above. FAZ should try to fix the weaknesses in the team before AFCON. Congratulations to the boys
All the young coaches have failed to qualify Zambia to the Afcon. It had to take the experience of a madala to get us there. Weldone Shikulu.! !!!
At least we now have a steady goalkeeper who does not parry the ball unnecessary. Lawrence Mulenga proved himself to be a steady pair of hands. He should be helped to stabilise in the role of Zambia Number 1 goalkeeper. He provides more confidence to the team.
Since the Coach is from Israel, we have Gods favor upon us.