AFCON 2023: Zambia returns to the big occasion!

Zambia traunced 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts – Cote D’Ivoire 3-0 in Ndola, to seal a spot in the tournament finals next year.

The Chipolopolo automatically qualified for the first time since 2015 in a packed Levy Mwanawasa Stadium where over 49,000 people watched on.

It took a first half own goal from Serge Aurier, two second half finishes from Daka and Kings to put a gloss on the scoreline.

Prior to the game, Zambia needed a single point to consolidate its position in the top half of group H.

The 2012 AFCON winners approached the game with intensity and the crowd was loving it. A quarter of the game in, Leicester city forward Patson Daka saw his scissor kick go wide, after an inspiration run from Fashion Sakala down the right, and an eventual cross from Kings Kangwa.

Cote D’Ivoire had a lot of the ball in the first stanza but it was the Copper Bullets creating the clear cut chances.

In a crowded area, Emmanuel Banda fired wide with his weaker left foot having received good service from Lubambo Musonda at the 21st minute.

Zambia later capitalized on their purple patch and got the lead at the 31st minute through an Aurier own goal.

The Forest defender wasn’t in full control of his body, after he was hassled by Daka then unwittingly decided to tackle the ball towards goal. It turned out to be a pitch of a finish with Charles Folly, beaten by the flight of the ball.

Frenchman Jean-Louis Gasset was restless down the other side of the paint and the gaffer managed to transmit some of that enthusiasm to his charges.

Christian Kouame Kouame’s 44th minute shot was straight down the midriff of goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga and then the Florentina man hit the side netting seconds later, before referee Banlak Tessema sent both teams for the pose.

Zambia bolted out of the blocks in the second segment and scored yet another early goal.

Patson Daka marked his 35th appearance with a rather dodged finish. A hopeful ball was arrowed at the poacher whose missed control fell for Eric Bailey. The Marseille defender had the head start but soon noticed Daka was quicker when the latter recovered and slotted past Charles Folly at the 48th minute.

Cote D’Ivoire rallied and tried to half deficit at the other end with the introduction of Adingra who hit the post barely 3 minutes of lasting on the pitch.

In the same passage of of play, Zambia added a third in a classic counter led by Emmanuel Junior Banda.

Banda sprinted more than half the field before hitting the stick with his left footed effort, but Kings Kangwa was right on queue to tap-in at the 55th minute for 3-0.

It was game, set and match but the Cote D’Ivoire was out to restore some honor with the introduction of Bamba, Konate and Gradel.

Possession predominantly belonged to Cote D’Ivoire and Gradel made Lawrence Mulenga work twice in quick succession.

At the 77th minute, Mulenga made a point blank save before denying Gradel three minutes after – at full stretch, from a set piece.

The game went on to end 3-0 which sparked joyous scenes at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Zambia joins the likes of: Cote D’Ivoire,Morocco, Algeria,
Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Tunisia, as another great to qualify for the showpiece.