Patson Daka scored a late equalizer in the 88th minute to help 10-man Zambia recuperate a hard-earned point at the death, denying Tanzania a first Africa Cup of Nations victory.
The Taifa Stars took the lead in the 11th minute when Simon Msuva finished with a powerful strike following clumsy defending by the Zambians.
Chipolopolo’s woes worsened when Rodrick Kabwe received a second yellow card to be sent to an early shower shortly before halftime.
Lubambo Musonda replaced Kelvin Kapumbu at the start of the second half to cover up for Kabwe’s vacuum.
Zambia squandered chances to level in both halves, with Fashion Sakala missing a header from close range on the half-hour mark.
Tanzania should have added a second goal when Mohamed Hussein’s ball deflected off Frankie Musonda and went well wide, while replacement Morice Abraham forced a good save from Zambia goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga.
Daka also blew a decent opportunity when he shot straight at Aishi Manula instead of passing the ball to Sakala, who was unmarked and at the goal mouth.
But just as Grant’s team appeared to be running out of time, the 25-year-old Leicester City striker went around his man to divert a Clatous Chama corner kick into the far post, helping the Chipolopolo avoid a costly defeat.
The goal came shortly after Grant made four changes. He substituted Lameck Banda, Fashion Sakala, Kings Kangwa, and Benedict Chepeshi for Chama, Kennedy Musonda, Edward Chilufya, and Miguel Chaiwa.
It was Daka’s 20th international goal in his 43rd appearance, which also made him the first player to score in all of CAF’s age-group competitions (U-17, U-20, and U-23), including the senior AFCON.
Grant says the referee decided the game
Reacting after the match, Grant, who was also shown a yellow card by the referee from Benin, Djindo Louis Houngnandande, said, “I am disappointed with the result,” stating that “the red card [to Rodrick Kabwe] is not a red card.”
He added, “It was difficult to fight with ten players. But we move on; we can’t fight the referee but we can fight on the pitch…… But I think the referee decided the game. The result was on him.”
Grant remains confident that his players will give Morocco a run for their money in the last Group F match, which will determine their fate in the tournament.
“We already know that Morocco is a big team but we are not afraid of them,” he said. “We will play them and I hope we will put up a good performance. The team will have to show character.”
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Zambia is third in Group F on two points level with second-placed DR Congo. They will need a win against the group leaders, Morocco, on Wednesday to have a realistic chance of progressing to the next round.
Morocco tops the group by four points and will be out looking for a win to secure the first-place finish.
