Fashion Sakala and Lameck Banda proved to be the heroes for Zambia in their latest Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, as Chipolopolo recorded a 3-1 victory over Lesotho at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Thursday evening.
Zambia got the game off to a bright start and had the majority of the ball during the opening stages of the game. With composed build-up play, Lesotho were reduced to defend their quarters as Zambia stroked the ball around with ease.
It was one way traffic with around 10 minutes on the clock, as Zambia looked to attack the Lesotho backline from their left-hand flank. The home team kept chipping away and dominated the ball possession count.
With 20 minutes on the clock, Lesotho sat tight and warded off the Zambian attacks at the time. However, the hosts continued to station high up the pitch in search of an opener.
Having been on the defence for much of the half, Lesotho took the lead in the 32nd minute after being awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Zambia penalty area. While standing over the ball, Toaster Nsabata failed to handle Tshwarelo Bereng’s effort with authority and watched the ball bounce into the back of the net.
Zambia equalised four minutes later as Fashion Sakala produced a moment of brilliance on the right hand side of the Lesotho box. The attacker beat two men on the edge of the Lesotho box before unleashing a venomous shot at goal.
As the referee called time on the first 45, Zambia ended the half on a high but failed to convert their goalscoring opportunities.
The home team immediately went on the attack as soon as the second-half whistle was blown and asserted themselves on the travelling outfit. Zambia utilised the ball with craft and looked dangerous going forward, forcing Lesotho to sit back outside their area.
Zambia’s pressure paid off early in the second half as Banda put the hosts ahead for the first time in the encounter. After being awarded a corner, a teasing ball was whipped into the area as the attacker met the cross with a powerful header in the 52nd minute.
Banda extended Zambia’s lead four minutes later with his pace and power proving too much for the Lesotho defence to handle. In driving the ball forward, the 22-year-old unleashed a fierce low driving shot toward the goalkeeper’s right.
As Zambia kicked into game-management mode, Lesotho had a couple of goalscoring opportunities of their own toward the end of the game. However, it was not to be for Lesotho with Zambia claiming maximum points at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Chipolopolo come from behind to defeat Lesotho 3-1 and top group H ?? pic.twitter.com/XJtccySpM7
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) March 23, 2023
Zambia: (1) 3 (Sakala 36’, L.Banda 52’ 56’)
Lesotho: (1) 1 (Bereng 32’ )
Zambia: Nsabata, Kabwe, Musonda, Mwape, Chepeshi, E. Banda, Sakala, Kangwa (Bwalya 85’) , Sakala, Musonda (L.Banda 12’), Daka
Lesotho: Moerane, Rasethuntsa, Tseka, Makepe, Ramabele, Senkoto (Thabantso 59’), Makateng, Lebokollane, Mafatle (Fothoane 69’), Malane (Mokokoana 93’), Bereng (Thabantso 59’)