The Chipolopolo displayed a lot of complaisance in the first half as the hosts took full control of the proceedings. Benjaloud Youssouf’s direct freekick beat Zambian goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga just on the stroke of halftime, eventually paying off Comoro’s dominance.
Following the halftime break, the Copper Bullets gradually fought their way back into the contest. Patson Daka drew parity for the visitors with his fifth goal in six games of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
Both sides eventually settled for a 1-1 draw, which saw Zambia top Group H with 13 points ahead of Ivory Coast on head-to-head goal difference.
Zambians slam Moroni Malouzini stadium
However, fans were quick to point out the dilapidated state of the turf at the Stade Moroni Malouzini.
“Surely how could CAF allow Comoros to Host games on such a dilapidated pitch that looks like a potato field, yet they declared Zambia’s Levy Mwanawasa and Heroes Stadiums unfit to Host CAF games?” Allocious Habula said.
Munalula Kundoti wrote, “This pitch looks like one from my high school. What criteria does CAF use to pick stadiums?”
Clement Sikaz hilariously added, “That potato field was extremely terrible; I could see mountains, valleys, and swamps.”
MacDonald Mayaba asked, “How does CAF approve this potato field for home games and disapprove of our Levy and Heroes stadium?”
Despite being among the top 10 largest stadiums in Africa, Zambia’s Heroes Stadium was declared unfit to host national team matches. Likewise, Levy Mwanawasa is also set to fall down the pecking order in terms of Chipolopolo fixtures.
Hence, fans are extremely puzzled as to why the Moroni Malouzini stadium is fit to host games with a shabby turf while Zambia’s two largest stadiums are under scrutiny despite having better playing surfaces.
