…as Zambia humiliate the Cranes of Uganda
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
LEICESTER City striker Patson Daka impressed with a brace as Zambia bounced back from the painful 1-0 defeat to Egypt by beating Uganda 3-0 in the second match of the back to back international friendly matches played at the at Al-Hamriya Sports Club Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Fashion Sakala grabbed the other goal as the Chipolopolo outshined the Cranes of Uganda to pick the crucial win.
Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant, who was seeking redemption after the loss to Egypt which was his first as national team coach had made some changes to his starting lineup.
Grant gave Golden Mafwenta, Zephenia Phiri and Edward Chilufya the opportunity to start while captain Lubambo Musonda, Kelvin Kapumbu and right back Benedict Chepeshi were relegated to the bench.
The Chipolopolo boys dominated play from the first whistle and it only took six minutes for Daka to put Zambia ahead after he converted a penalty won when Klings Kangwa was fouled in the box.
Sakala came close to doubling the lead but was unlucky as he missed after he was perfectly set up by Phiri in the 14th minute.
Uganda’s first dangerous opportunity to level matters came four minutes before the half hour mark when Ibrahim Juma tried his luck from a free kick which Francis Mwansa collected with ease.
Two minutes before the hour mark, Rodrick Kabwe who was trusted with the captain’s arm band in the absence of Musonda could have doubled Zambia’s lead with a free kick which he sent way over the bar.
Simba SC star midfielder, Cletus Chama was introduced in the 60th minute for Mafwenta and immediately made a positive impact as he contributed to a move which resulted in Zambia’s second goal through Sakala.
Sakala rose high to head Phiri’s perfect cross from the right.
Uganda tried to make some changes with the introduction of Usama Abdu for Kizza Kayondo while, Kasim Mato replace Basangwa Richard. Laban Tibita came in for Khalid Aucho.
The changes couldn’t inspire a comeback as Daka completed his brace in the 69th minute by nodding the ball into the back of the net after benefiting from another perfect cross from Phiri.
With about 18 minutes before the last whistle, Grant withdrew Sakala and Daka for Kelvin Kapumbu and Rally Bwalya.
The Chipolopolo held on to pick their fourth win under the former Ghana and Chelsea FC tutor who has one draw, four wins and one defeat.
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