Agony for Warriors as Zambia avenge defeat

Zambia are through to the next phase of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers after a tense 6-5 penalties victory over Namibia in Lusaka. Namibia went into the game against Zambia in the Southern Zone of the championship for locally based players, with a 2-1 first-leg advantage. Zambia levelled the tie at 2-2 through a Festus Mbewe header. Benyamin Nenkavu then gave Namibia the initiative with a goal just before half-time to make it 1-1 on the day and 2-3 on aggregate. A Winston Kalengo goal on 71 minutes restored Zambia’s lead in Lusaka, making it 3-3 overall and taking the tie to a penalty shoot-out which the hosts won 6-5. Zambia win makes-up for the 2-1 first leg loss on June 21 and 5-4 penalties elimination from the quarterfinals of 2015 Cosafa Cup on May 24 in Rustenburg. Chipolopolo secured their passage thanks to successfully taken spot kicks by Kondwani Mtonga and Buchizya Mfune who restored parity after Joseph Zimba missed his penalty. Moses Phiri, Christopher Munthali and Benedict Chepeshi also scored before Winston Kalengo scored in sudden death to see Zambia through. Namibia started and ended poorly from the spot after captain Heinrich Isaacks missed the opening penalty before Denis Tjetjinda equalised for the Brave Warriors. Joslin Kamatuka put the Brave Warriors ahead after Zimba’s miss before Itamunua Keimuine, Ananias Gebhardt and Absalom Iimondi all converted. However, Denzil Haoseb missed in sudden death leaving Kalengo to dispatch the golden penalty to end Namibia’s interest in the race. Zambia host Mozambique in the final qualifying round first leg match on October 17 before travelling to Maputo on the 24 to decide who goes through to next year’s finals in Rwanda. Zambian coach George Lwandamina was delighted with his team’s win. Lwandamina told fazfootball.com in a post-match interview that the victory was good for his team’s confidence in upcoming matches. “We are all happy. For sure even yourselves (the media) are happy as Zambians,” Lwandamina said as he drew laughter from journalists. “This victory will restore confidence in our players; they played under a lot of pressure after losing twice to the same team this year. “They worked hard for this victory and I am sure it will inculcate the much needed confidence in our players.” LUSAKA SUPERSPORT