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Zambia 2 – 0 Namibia
ZAMBIA secured a semi-final berth in the ongoing African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games after beating Namibia 2-0 in their second Group B soccer encounter that was played at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday. In their first Group B tie, the Young Chipolopolo thumped South Africa 6-1 and they are already on six points with one group match against Lesotho to play.
A brace from impressive Kasashi Lupiya was enough to hand Zambia their ticket to the last four in a match that they heavily dominated.
Skillfull Lupiya, who has been touted as the next Christopher Katongo for Zambian football, scored his first goal in the third minute when his dipping curling cross from outside the box beat Donovan Gainub in goal for Namibia all systems out.
Lupiya had dribbled past Namibian pair of Balyi Tsandib and Bobby Collins on the left side before he let loose a fine delivery into the box to make it one up for the Zambians.
Just when the Namibians were still re-organising their act, Lupiya made it two courtesy of a well taken ferocious shot that nestled on the bottom left hand corner of Gainub’s goal in the 15th minute.
Towering Zambian midfielder John Kapambwe Musonda had made a solo run from the centre in the process subtracting a sea of Namibian defenders to release an alert Boyd Mkandawire who obliged with a hard and low cross which Patson Daka laid on the path of Lupiya to open fire.
Reacting to the two early goals, the Turipamue Upi-led Namibia technical department pulled out defender Sylanus Endjala for George Hummel in the 18th minute.
Eight minutes later Namibia’s Tuhafeni Leonard failed to capitalise on Zambia goalkeeper Mangani Banda’s spill from a tame shot.
Moments later Namibia’s Hiha Katjivena watched in disbelief when his well taken shot from outside the 18 yard box missed the target by inches. This was after he had roasted two defenders on the right side to face the goal.
Probably sensing danger, Zambia pulled out a seemingly tired Musonda for skillful and combative Charles Yande Shezongo in the 39th minute.
In the dying moments of the first half, the Zambians shook their heads in amazement when Daka’s blistering header in the 12 yard box went over the bar. Daka rose to meet a Kingsley Mukuka cross only to sky his effort.
With the rains threatening to disturb the match in the second stanza, Zambia continued with their dominance but they could not find the third goal while denying their opponents a consolation goal.
Young Chipolopolo gaffer Hector Chilombo said: “I’m happy with the result. We’ve qualified for the semi-finals with one game to play in the group stages. This means we will play our next game without any pressure.”
Upi said they had not thrown in the towel.
“We would love to qualify for the next round which means our last match against South Africa is very crucial for us,” said Upi.
Online Reporter