Avram Grant’s men needed a point to finish the 2023 AFCON qualifiers as Group H winners and they did so with a 1-1 draw against Comoros on Saturday night. It was a game of shifting paradigms, with Comoros doing just about enough to unsettle Zambia in the first stanza.
The home crowd was sent into a pure frenzy when Benjaloud Youssouf scored the opener before halftime with a thunderbolt freekick. Patson Daka scored the equalizer in the 71st minute of the game.
BolaNews shines the light on the individual performances of the Chipolopolo Boys as they concluded the qualifiers.
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Lawrence Mulenga (5/10): Following a dazzling performance against the Elephants of Ivory Coast in June, the Power Dynamos man looked destined for the team sheet. Comoros Island did not test him enough but he was beaten a few minutes before halftime by Youssouf’s thunderbolt free-kick which left him standing still.
Benedict Chepeshi(7/10): Delivered a man-of-the-match performance while operating in his natural right-back position. The Airman provided an assist to Patson Daka for the equalizer and created two chances for Zambia.
Frankie Musonda (5/10): It was a nervy start to the game as the defensive pairing of him and veteran defender Sunzu looked shaky. He delivered an impressive performance in the second half with his impressive passing accuracy which saw him complete 48 of his 60 passes.
Stopilla Sunzu (6/10): Undoubtedly the most experienced Zambian player in the starting 11, the China-based man provided leadership at the back by calming his teammates down when they were panicking to find an equalizer.
Rodrick Kabwe (7/10): Won the most duels in the match (10). He played an essential role defensively in ensuring Zambia secured a draw in the encounter despite being a little complacent.
Midfielders
Kelvin Kampumbu (4/10): Was taken off after 13 minutes played due to injury.
Kings Kangwa (7/10): A mastermind in the middle of the park, Kangwa doesn’t often disappoint. He spread the ball really well for his team and made a series of interceptions in the game. He made seven recoveries and completed seven passes into the final third.
Rally Bwalya(5/10): He created two chances before being substituted in the 66th minute. He showed quality but it was not enough to influence the outcome of the match.
Attackers
Lameck Banda (5/10): Replaced in the latter stages of the game, Banda was not at his usual best. He sometimes made the wrong decisions with the ball at his feet.
Patson Daka(8/10): The Leicester City frontman scored the equalizer with a brilliantly dispatched goal. He scored his 13th international goal, and 5th in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers in 6 games. The former Kafue Celtics man was quiet but eventually rose to the challenge with a much-needed goal.
Lubambo Musonda (5/10): The skipper had a timid performance. The wing wizard showed a few flashes of brilliance but was generally wasteful with his final touch.
Substitutes & Coach
Benson Sakala(5/10): Came on in the early stages of the game after replacing injured Kelvin Kapumbu. He operated quietly in the middle of the park and ensured Zambia maintained possession.
Emmanuel Banda (7/10): He was introduced in the 66th minute and proved to be the game-changer as Zambia gained control of the match in the midfield.
Evans Kangwa (N/A): Came on in the latter stages of the game but showed a few flashes of brilliance upfront. Time was not on his side.
Edward Chilufya (N/A): There was limited time on the clock for the dazzling midfielder to impose himself on the game.
Golden Mafwenta (N/A): He also only had 6 minutes of playtime and couldn’t quite make an impression.
Avram Grant (8/10): It was his fourth game in charge of Zambia and the boys survived a scare after salvaging a draw away from home. It was the first time Grant used much of his substitutes though many fans may not still be satisfied as they felt he should have made changes earlier in the game. He is, however, still unbeaten since taking over as Chipolopolo’s head coach.
