adminBotswana…………………………………..(0)1
Zambia………………………………………(0)1HOSTS Botswana came from behind to force a draw and avoid teh blushes ofa home defeat in their African Nations Championships first round, first leg qualifier against favourites Zambia at Molepolole Sports complex in Molepolele yesterday.
The Zebras found themsevels a goal behind in the 78th minute but soon found an equliser that left them with some of hope of upstaging the Cosafa champions in the reverse fixture.
Zambia who finsished the game with 10 men had been tipped to steamroll past the Zebras and set the platform an easy passage into the second and final qualifying round.
Despite being held on the road, Chipolopolo who rarely lose at home should still be fancying their chances of settuing up a potentially explosive second round date against Zimbabwe’s Warriros who were conviving 3-0 winners over Mauritius in their first round, first leg tie in Curepipe earlier yesterday.
For the more superstitious Zambian fan there was also a intersting angle to yesterday’s result in Molepolele.
No white shirt, no victory.
Coach Herve Renard yesterday discarded his “magical white shirt” as 10-man Zambia drew with Botswana.
The whote shirt has become Renrd’s trademark outfit during matches.
Clad in a white shirt, Renard guided Zambia to the African Cup of Nations sucess in the 2012 edition in Gabon.
He also wore his trademrk white shirt during the Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup win over South Africa and when Zambia beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in the Cosafa Cup last weekend.
Yesterday, the Frenchman discarded the white shirt and wore a green T-shirt, a black short and white sneakers as Chipolopolo played the last 34 minutes with 10 men after Alex Ng’onga was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Festus Mbewe put Zambia in the lead in the 78th minute, but three minutes later the Zebras equalised through Lemponye Tshireletso.
Defender Fackson Kapumbu got things moving in the fourth minute when his free-kick was saved by Zebras goalkeeper Michael Pepukani.
Zambia pressed forward with Mukuka Mulenga, Ng’onga and Kondwani Mtonga dictating play in midfield.
Ng’onga, who scored a classic free-kick in last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Zimbabwe Cosafa Cup final made a simlar attempt from a from a free-kick but the ball went over the bar on 13 minutes.
Zambian goalkeeper Danny Munyau was called to duty in the 29th minute when he saved a Tebogo Sembowa lob after a defensive lapse.
Namibian referee Reynod Shokongo cautioned Ng’onga in the 32nd minute for a foul on a Botswana player.
Burly forward Bornwell Mwape was a shadow of himself and it was not surprising when Moses Phiri replaced him after just 33 minutes.
Phiri, who was a thorn in the flesh of the Botswana defenders, beat two markers simultaneously but he shot direct at goalkeeper Pepukani on 43 minutes.
On resumption, Munyau stretched himself to save a shot from Jackie Mothatego. Botswana continued pressing and Moemedi Moatlahaping’s short missed the far post with Munyao beaten in the 53rd minute.
Three minutes later, Ng’onga saw red after a crude challenge on Bonolo Phuduhubu.
With Ng’onga sent for an early shower, Renard unleashed Misheck Chaila for Sydney Kalume on the hour mark.
Botswana pounced on their numerical advantage as they pinned Zambia with Tshireletso heading wide a cross from Tshepo Motlabankwe on 66 minutes.
In a quest to get goals, Botswana coach Stanley Tshosane introduced Gift Moyo for Phuduhubu in the 69th minute.
But still the Zebras continued misfiring with Moatlahaping shooting over the bar on 73 minutes when the Zambian defence had been exposed.
Renard withdrew Mulenga for Kabaso Chongo in the 76th minute.
Two minutes later, Botswana skipper Mopati Thuma’s poor back pass to Pepukani fell onto the path of Mbewe and the Nkana forward pushed the ball past the goalkeeper and it hit the far post and rolled into the net as Thuma covered his head with his hands.
After the goal the Zambians dropped back and in the process Phiri fouled a Botswana player outside the box in the 81st minute and Tshireletso placed a low shot into the far post beating Munyau.
Renard was happy with the result.
“It was a good result. When playing away it is never easy to play with 10 men for 40 minutes,” Renard said.
Tshosane said: “Our homework worked. We wanted to close them (Zambia) from going forward in the wings because they are dangerous. It is unfortunate we conceded such a goal”.
Zambia host Botswana in the reverse fixture at Levy Mwanawasa in Ndola on Saturday. — Zambian Mail
Teams:
Botswana: Michael Pepukani, Mopati Thuma, Tshepo Motlabankwe, Edwin Elerile, Obuile Ncenga, Bonolo Phuduhubu (Gift Moyo), Moemedi Moatlahaping, Alphonse Modisaotsile, Tebogo Sembowa, Jackie Mothatego, Lemponye Tshireletso
Zambia: Danny Munyao, Jimmy Chisenga, Fackson Kapumbu, Christopher Munthali, Bronson Chama, Kondwani Mtonga, Alex Ng’onga, Sydney Kalume (Misheck Chaila), Bornwell Mwape (Moses Phiri), Festus Mbewe, Mukuka Mulenga (Kabaso Chongo)
Online Reporter