Despite giving Algeria a scare, Zambia were blown away by the Desert Foxes losing 3-1 in their opening Group I fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Fashion Sakala Jr cancelled out Jaouen Hadjam’s opener before Ibrahim Maza and Aris Hadji Moussa put the game beyond the Copper Bullets.
BolaNews rates the Chipolopolo players’ performances during their loss to Algeria at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium on Friday.
GOALKEEPER
Willard Mwanza (4/10): A couple of decent saves against Algeria, but the highlight of his performance was conceding two goals at the near post.
DEFENDERS
Matthews Banda (5/10): Given a run for his money by the Algerian frontline. He struggled before exiting the match at 68 minutes.
Ricky Chanda (4/10): A tough night for the debutant, outmaneuvered by the Desert Foxes attack.
Dominic Chanda (5/10): He made a couple of defensive interventions to keep Zambia in the game but was at sixes and sevens in the latter part of the second half.
David Hamansenya (4/10): The youngster did was no match for opposition wingers.
MIDFIELDERS
Miguel Chaiwa (6/10): He did excellently well in the first half.
Joseph Liteta (5/10): A combative performance from the midfielder, who did the dirty work in midfield.
FORWARDS
Albert Kangwanda (4/10): Poor touches and inaccurate passes let down Kangwanda against the Desert Foxes.
Fashion Sakala (7/10): After an uninspiring first half, Sakala came up with the moment of magic drawing Zambia level after beating multiple defenders.
Patson Daka (4/10): He failed to establish himself in the match before he was take off the field.
Kingstone Mutandwa (5/10): The forward pressed and held up the ball but did not cause enough threat in front of goal.
SUBSTITUTES
David Simukonda (6/10): Simukonda set up Sakala’s equalizer against Zambia and played a good cross to Mutandwa.
Ghampani Lungu (4/10): Playing at an unorthodox right back position, Lungu was often caught short in defense.
Owen Tembo (4/10): Tembo struggled to get a foothold on the game.
Lameck Banda (5/10): Some flashes of brilliance from the winger but no real positive impact on the game.
Chanka Zimba (N/A): Zimba came on late as Zambia tried to grab a consolation.
COACH
George Lwandamina (5/10): He will feel hard done by the result, but Zambia was second best to Algeria in every department.
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