adminJOHANNESBURG. — Mozambique and Zambia moved closer to the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa with contrasting overall victories at the weekend. The Mozambican Mambas (snakes) crumbled 3-0 against Namibia at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek only to squeeze into the final qualifying round 5-4 on penalties.
There was no such drama at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola as Zambia cruised to a 2-0 victory over 10-man Botswana having drawn the first leg 1-1 last weekend.
Mozambique now face Angola in a clash of Portuguese-speaking countries for a place at the January 11-February 1 tournament for home-based stars.
And Zambia tackle Zimbabwe, who progressed in Harare yesterday after playong ouit a 1-1 draw with Mauritius to pull through 4-1 on aggregate after building a 3-0 first-leg lead on the Indian Ocean island.
Namibia looked doomed after a three-goal first-leg hiding in Maputo, and a goalless first 45 minutes in Windhoek did nothing to alter that view.
Riaan Cloete broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half, volleying a Deon Hotto cross into the net and offering a glimmer of hope to the ‘Brave Warriors’.
Mozambique, who edged Namibia 1-0 in the recent regional Cosafa Cup, were reduced to 10 men when striker Apson Manjate was shown a second yellow card followed by a red.
Namibia began to believe all was not lost and Roger Katjiteo hammered a loose ball into the net four minutes from time to stir a previously subdued crowd.
Katjiteo struck again two minutes into stoppage time, chasing a long pass and scoring with another fierce shot that sparked wild celebrations on the touchline and in the stands.
But there was no fairytale finish as the Mozambicans regained their composure to convert all five penalty kicks while Chris Katjiukua missed for the Namibians.
Late entrants Mozambique won home and away against the Seychelles in a preliminary tie while Namibia received a bye in region-based qualifiers.
Zambia, bronze medalists at the first CHAN tournament in Ivory Coast four years ago, were firm favourites to oust Botswana after forcing an away draw with 10 men.
But it took a side guided by 2012 Africa Cup of Nations-winning French coach Herve Renard 49 minutes to score on the Zambian Copperbelt.
Giant striker Festus Mbewe inflicted the damage, nodding a chip from defender Kondwani Mtonga past recalled Botswana goalkeeper Noah Maposa.
Defender Obuile Nncenga was sent off, leaving the “Zebras” to pursue an equaliser a man short and their fate was sealed 12 minutes from time when Evans Kangwa netted.
A second-half substitute for Bornwell Mwape, striker Kangwa sprinted on to a pass from star midfielder Mukuka Mulenga to score from close range and seal a 3-1 aggregate victory. — AFP.
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