Zambia has solidified their second place in Group G of the 2025 Morocco Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) with a vital 1-0 victory over Chad in Yaounde on Tuesday afternoon.
The Chipololopolo made their intentions clear early in the encounter, putting pressure on the Chadians, who were extremely defensive.
Despite a commanding 45 minutes, with Obina Chisala hitting the post in the 42nd minute as one of the best chances, the first half ended goalless. Chad had their moments, but Zambia’s defence proved too strong to breach.
In the second half, Avram Grant made one substitution, bringing on Joseph Sabobo Banda for Gift Mphande in the 61st minute. The 17-year-old would soon bring the game to life, and 9 minutes later, he took advantage of a loose ball following the Chadians’ defensive woes and cut inside the box to find Klings Kangwa, whose deflected shot found Kennedy Musonda and smashed it into the bottom right corner to put Chipolopolo ahead.
It was Musonda’s second international goal in three matches of this campaign.
Nsabata saves Zambia in dying minutes
With 83 minutes played, the Chadian earned a penalty when Francisco Mwepu committed a foul in the box. Marius Mouandilmadji took the penalty, but Toaster Nsabata saved it with ease, securing Chipolopolo’s lead.
Zambia played cautiously in the last minutes of the match as Chad launched dangerous attacks, with Grant compelled to make a tactical change, replacing Sababo with Frankie Musonda in the four minutes of extra time.
Chad, on the other hand, was unable to produce an equalizer, and the match ended in triumph for the Chipolopolo, who now need to avoid defeat in their remaining two matches to secure a second consecutive qualification to Africa’s largest football tournament.
Chipolopolo is second with 7 points, trailing leaders Ivory Coast, who have 9 points, while Sierra Leone is third with four points after shockingly beating the Elephants 1-0 today. Chad is last with two points.
Grant’s side will host Ivory Coast on November 11 before finishing the qualifiers away to Sierra Leone four days later.
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