Zambia secured three points on Sunday as they began their 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan) campaign, thrashing old rivals Uganda 3-1 in Group B.
The Cranes of Uganda were the better side in the opening stages of their first Group B game and they came close to scoring when Taddeo Lwanga forced Zambia goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata into a save three minutes into the game.
Lwanga had another chance to put the East African side into the lead eight minutes before the half-hour mark, but the midfielder placed his effort wide of the target as Uganda continued to press.
However, it was Zambia, who broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Ernest Mbewe set-up Lazarous Kambole, who beat Uganda goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan to make it 1-0 to Chipolopolo.
Uganda responded with a goal two minutes later which was scored by hard-working forward Derrick Nsibambi, who beat Zambia shot-stopper Nsabata to make it 1-1.
The score was 1-1 between Zambia and Uganda during the half-time break following an entertaining first half.
Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda made the first change of the game nine minutes after the restart – pulling out Alex Ng’onga for Friday Samu as the Southern African side looked to restore its lead.
Kambole set up Augustine Mulenga, who made no mistake in the 63rd minute as he scored to make it 2-1 to Zambia as Chipolopolo’s pressure finally paid off.
It was soon 3-1 to Zambia when Fackson Kapumbu hit the back of the net with a deflected free-kick which beat Ochan with 18 minutes left on the clock.
Zambia then held on to their two-goal lead in the latter stages of the game and they ran out 3-1 winners over Uganda.
Line-ups:
Zambia: Nsabata, Silwimba, Kapumbu, Chama, Tembo, Mtonga, Malama, Mulenga/80’ Katiba, Ng’onga/54’ Samu, Kambole.
Uganda: Ochan, Wadada, Muleme, Awany, Muwanga, Lwanga, Karisa, Mutyaba/65’ Waiswa, Nsibambi, Saddam/71’ Shaban, Kyambadde/81’ Senkatuka
Watch highlights below:
