Zambia prove too strong for Seychelles

Defending champions Zambia boosted their chances of qualifying for the Cosafa Cup semifinals after they beat Seychelles 4-2 at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Tuesday afternoon.

Moses Sichone's side wasted little time in asserting their dominance on proceedings when Albert Kangwanda opened the scoring on 11 minutes before second-half goals from Killian Kanguluma, Golden Mashata and Frederick Mulambia sealed all three points.

The Pirates wouldn't leave empty-handed, however, as they scored twice in the closing stages to put a dent in Chipolopolo's goal difference.

Zambia were tied on three points with Botswana, Eswatini, Comoros and Mauritius coming into this Group B clash and they needed to win to keep their title defence alive.

The Copper Bullets made a bright start and Mulambia signalled their intentions early on when he fired just wide of the left post from range on 10 minutes.

They didn't have to wait long for the opener as Kelvin Kampamba picked up a loose ball in the middle of the park and fed Kangwanda, who cut inside from the right before unleashing a fierce shot from 20 yards out that flew past Alvin Michel in the 11th minute.

TWO LATE GOALS FOR SEYCHELLES

Kampamba threatened again two minutes later with an effort from the top of the D that curled just wide of the left post before he tested Michel with a venomous strike from range on 35 minutes.

Michel had to be alert when Kampamba sent in a curling free-kick from the left in first-half stoppage time that the keeper tipped over the crossbar.

However, Michel was culpable for their second goal on 54 minutes as he failed to deal with Kampamba's free-kick on the left and Kanguluma tapped home from close range on the rebound to double the Copper Bullets' advantage.

Two quickly became three when Mashata converted from a few yards out after Andrew Phiri's initial shot had been saved by Michel.

Michel was also at fault for Zambia's fourth goal on 73 minutes when he allowed Mulambia's first-time shot to squirm through his grasp after Mashata aimed a cross towards the near post from the left.

Chipolopolo switched off in the closing stages and Labrosse scores nine minutes from time as he latched onto a long ball down the right flank and shrugged off Kanguluma before slotting past Lawrence Mulenga from an angle.

Seychelles were then awarded a penalty in the final minute and Mellie sent Mulenga the wrong way from 12 yards out to halve the deficit.

Seychelles (1) 4 (Kangwanda 11', Kanguluma 54', Mashata 58', Mulambia 73')

Zambia (0) 2 (Labrosse 81', Mellie 90' PEN)

Seychelles: A. Michel (R. Padayachy 78'), R. Pascal, D. Balette, J. Brown, D. Fanchette, T. Camille (R. Henriette 46'), W. Mellie, K. Nourrice (G. Vidot 46'), H. Jean (D. Mothe 71'), N. Confiance (B. Labrosse 71'), J. Ravignia.

Zambia: L. Mulenga, S. Mkandawire, M. Chabala, K. Kanguluma, J. Chishimba (P. Mwansa 83'), F. Mulambia, K. Kapumbu, A. Kangwanda (H. Milanzi 70'), K. Kampamba (A. Phiri 70'), M. Libamba (A. Phiri 46'), A. Siankombo (G. Mashata 29').