For the second Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) qualification in a row, Kings Kangwa fashioned a match-winning freekick goal for the Chipolopolo in their second match after losing away to Ivory Coast.
The Copper Bullets came out on top of a five-goal thriller against Sierra Leone, where Kennedy Musonda and Kelvin Kampamba’s goals were cancelled out by the visitors prior to Kangwa’s match-winner.
Here are the match ratings given to the Zambian men’s national team players in their 3-2 win over the Leone Stars at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium on Tuesday.
GOALKEEPER
Lawrence Mulenga (6/10): No cleansheet for Mulenga yet again, but he made an acrobatic save off the post to deny the visitors a lead.
DEFENDERS
Benedict Chepeshi (7/10): Chepeshi delivered a match-high 15 long balls from right-back despite Sierra Leone constantly attacking from his wing.
Stopilla Sunzu (6/10): After disappointing in Bouake, the veteran was on hand to deliver some important clearances.
Kabaso Chongo (6/10): Another decent outing for the defender but for some sloppy marking late in the contest.
Lubambo Musonda (7/10): The skipper showed the Zambian faithful a glimpse of what fans in Germany are becoming accustomed to, providing a beautiful assist for the opener.
MIDFIELDERS
Miguel Changa Chaiwa (7/10): No one would suspect that Chaiwa was on a yellow card for the majority of that match as he fearlessly dominated the midfield from start to finish. He also covered the most distance in the match.
Obinno Chisala (6/10): The Mozambican-based playmaker contributed to some dangerous play outside the box against the Leone Stars.
Kings Kangwa (7/10): As if written in the stars, Kangwa unleashed his magic wand yet again and expertly converted a sumptuous match-winning free kick.
FORWARDS
Clatous Chota Chama (6/10): Despite concerns about the midfielder playing out of position, he was a threat early on, but his game faded with time, as expected.
Lameck Banda (5/10): The US Lecce man was not fully fit against Sierra Leone, having picked up a knock in the previous outing.
Kennedy Musonda (8/10): There’s probably no Zambian player who deserved to score as much as Musonda. Alongside grabbing an assist, the striker finally announced himself to the Chipolopolo fans with an important header.
SUBSTITUTES
Joseph Sabobo Banda (7/10): The youngster brought the sort of flamboyancy on the wing that Zambian fans have long desired, nearly registering an assist.
Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba (8/10): Kampamba was reduced to tears after firing in a belter of a goal that he dedicated to his late mother, who recently passed away.
Benson Sakala (N/A): Sakala came on in the dying embers of the match to see out a valuable victory for the Copper Bullets.
COACH
Avram Grant (6/10): Following the criticism he has faced from the Chipolopolo fans for failing to win a competitive match since last year, the Zambian coach needed this. Grant, 69, made some vital match winning substitutions and got the result despite giving away the lead twice.
