Zambia battle to stay in Chan race

Christopher Munthali @ SS com

Christopher Munthali @ SS com

Zambia host Namibia on Saturday in a must-win 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Chipolopolo head into the first round, final leg match trailing 2-1 from the first leg tie played on June 21 in Windhoek.

George Lwandamina’s side was leading 1-0 well into halftime in that match after veteran striker Winston Kalengo had put them ahead in the 10th minute before Namibia scored two goals in the first quarter of the second half.

The result left Zambia without a win over Namibia in two meetings in 2015, both of them losses.

Namibia earlier eliminated Chipolopolo from the 2015 Cosafa Cup at the quarterfinal stage on May 24.

“We don’t want to lose another game to the same team. We have attached importance to this decisive game against Namibia,” Lwandamina said.

Lwandamina has made minor changes to the team with Red Arrows striker Festus Mbewe recalled to replace injured Nkana forward Jimmy Ndhlovu.

Power Dynamos defender Christopher Munthali and Green Buffaloes winger Allan Mukuka who limped into camp with injuries have been declared fit for the match.

Zambia must beat Namibia 1-0 to advance to the final round on away goals rule.

Winner over both legs will play Seychelles or Mozambique in the final round in October.

Mozambique are away this Saturday in Victoria and enjoy a healthy 5-1 first leg win.

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