Wed, 14 Jun 2017 11:56:35 +0000
…Nyirenda’s boys make up for Mozambican fiasco
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA last night came from behind to triumph 2-1 over Bafana Bafana in an international friendly played at Moruleng Stadium, North-Western Province, in South Africa.
Two second half goals from Green Buffaloes striker Brian Mwila and Red Arrows’ Lubinda Mundia guaranteed Zambia’s victory over South Africa in a crucial Southern African derby.
The fast-paced game began with the home side dominating play and pressurizing the Chipolopolo from the first whistle.
South Africa were able to test goalkeeper Allan Chibwe in the 11th minute of the game but Lebohang Manyama’s shot on goal went wide.
Manyama however came back to haunt the Zambian defence in the 23rd minute when he put Bafana Bafana in front with a powerful header after being set up by Bafana Bafana forward Kermit Erusmus.
Motivated by the goal, Bafana Bafana continued to add pressure on the Chipolopolo, forcing Wedson Nyirenda to make first half changes by bringing in Lubinda Mundia and Godfrey Ngwenya to replace Mwansa Nsofwa and Collins Sikombe respectively.
The changes did not make any impact as South Africas’s dominance continued with Orlando Pirates’ midfielders Andile Jali and Tiyani Mabunda controlling the midfield.
The first half ended with Chipolopolo lagging behind to the Manyama goal.
The Chipolopolo however started the second half with much intent to find the equalizer and did all the running in Bafana Bafana’s half.
Nyirenda’s boys were finally rewarded 25 minutes into the second half when Mwila leveled the scores to make it 1-1.
Ten minutes before the final whistle, Mundia put the Chipolopol in front after a communication breakdown by South African defenders resulted in Mundia tapping the ball into the back of the net, to make it 2-1.
Lorenzo Godinho could have equalized for Bafana Bafana but his shot on target was brilliantly saved by Chibwe.
The win over Bafana Bafana is a big relief to the Zambia national soccer team, after being roasted by soccer fans after the 1-0 loss to Mozambique in the first 2019 Cameroon Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium last Saturday.
Nyirenda explained that the team was using the friendly to prepare for upcoming CHAN and COSAFA assignments.
Nyirenda traveled to South Africa with a team of 21 local players from various MTN/FAZ Super Division sides.
The team consisted of first time call-ups such as Lumwana Radiants’ goalkeeper Charles Mweemba, Power Dynamos’ Billy Mutale and Napsa Stars’ Alex Mwamba.
