FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya says Zambia’s 2-1 lost to Tunisia was painful. The result put Zambia at a crucial point needing to win their last Group B match against Cape Verde at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Chipolopolo played well. We had so many chances at this level. At the end it’s painful, we have no points to show for it,” Kalusha posted on his twitter timeline.
The 12 game unbeaten run in open play for the 2012 champions has ended after Tunisia came from behind to inflict defeat on Chipolopolo who last suffered defeat on 17th January, 2010 in Angola.
Cameroon were the last team to have defeated Zambia in a 5 goal thriller back in 2010 and Zambia had gone 12 games unbeaten in open play but could not extend it to 13th when they met the north African giants whom they have never beaten at Afcon. Tunisia have now won 3 and drawn 2 of the five meetings against Zambia.
Zambia on Thursday lost to Tunisia in a game many will feel it could have been the other way round. Zambia came in this match on the back of a fifth straight draw at Afcon tournament and coach Honour Janza had made three changes to the side that drew with Congo D.R on Sunday with Evans Kangwa starting ahead of fellow club’s mate Ronald Kampamba. Lubambo Musonda replaced Chisamba Lungu on the left flank and Munthali started at the back as Zesco’s Kondwani Mtonga was moved from the back to take up Nathan Sinkala role who has been ruled out of the tournament.
Janza’s charges in this match were on point as Zambia were probing more as compared to last match. Meanwhile Zambia were lucky not to have conceded a penalty when referee paid no attention to Tunisia claims after Sunzu was adjudged for a handball in the penalty area in the 3rd minute.
Zambia had a host of chances in the first half especially from the captain Kalaba. Kalaba tested the keeper first when he shot narrowly wide and then had another chance from outside the 18 area but the Tunisia goalkeeper was equal to the challenge. He came close again in the penalty area and had another chance moments later but could not get the ball behind the net.
Rainford Kalaba who was quite in the first match was arguably the man of the match as every ball to the front had to pass through him and the opposition defence was dismantled at one time by his heroics. Before halftime Mayuka had the best chance to put Zambia ahead when he couldn’t get a descent touch from within inches. Later on Evans Kangwa’s shot was somewhat disappointing when he shot wide past the goal post.
Lubambo also took matters in his own hands when he went on to dribble past the midfield and defence but his finishing was poor as the ball went side of the net.
Kalaba went on rampage but again Evans’ finish was disappointing but a goal was coming. Mayuka who was guilty of a span of chances in both halves could not miss this one as he fired in the roof of the net when a dead ball landed in his feet to put Zambia ahead.
Moments later kangwa came close to adding another but mayuka had the best chance for a second which would unfortunately land him in hospital. Kalaba once again broke through to lead the counter attack and when he laid it through to Mayuka, he could not reach it and subsequently landed him in the woodwork in a horrible accident that saw him being stretched off and rushed to the hospital.
Within a minute after that moment Tunisia went level after being awarded a corner. The defence had gone to sleep or were still dealing with the fact that Mayuka was rushed to the hospital and exposed from that corner. After this goal, Tunisia gained momentum and kept Zambia at the back for most of the remaining minutes.
Meanwhile, Jackson Mwanza, who had come on for injured Mayuka, was for most of the times a passenger and was missing when Zambia launched a counter attack through yet again Kalaba who could just find Lubambo but could not race to tap in the ball. It was from that moment when Tunisia caught Zambian defence napping and headed the winner in the 90th minute to leave Zambia rooted to the bottom. Zambia play Cape Verde on Monday and should hope that Tunisia beats Congo if Congo wins their game.
Written by Francis Mwansa
BolazZambia.com