Following a 2-1 home loss to Diables Noirs, FC MUZA’s chances of moving on to the next round of the CAF Confederations Championship are now in jeopardy.
At Lusaka’s National Heroes Stadium, MUZA gave up early in the first half when Albert Fataki took advantage of some poor defending to score the game’s first goal in the 14th minute.
A slow start to the game forced Mathews Ndhlovu to make a substitution that saw Gift Simanasa make way for Kelvin Mwanza, after suffering a knock in his knee prior to the game.
The home side coach, Mathews Ndhlovu was forced into making a substitution to introduce Kelvin Mwanza to replace knee injured Gift Simanasa.
Following Mwanza’s substitution, the home team gained momentum, and numerous opportunities appeared.
Football fans gathered on the field to spray water into the Diables Noirs goalpost at the start of the second half, believing the goalkeeper was using “juju,” sparking controversy.
Their club hitman, Andrew Phiri, had his chance moments later but saw his effort hit the crossbar in the 67th minute.
Diables Noirs made it 2 nil in the 79th minute after a brilliant strike outside the box to beat MUZA’s shot-stopper.
Then, two minutes before the end of regulation, the home team got one back from the penalty spot thanks to talisman Andrew Phiri’s superb conversion.
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For MUZA, the goal came too little, too late. On October 1, when the teams meet again in Congo Brazzaville, MUZA will have all to play for to overcome the home disappointment.
