Zambia redeem themselves against Namibia

Kondwani Mtonga

Zambia got sweet revenge over Namibia when they beat the Brave Warriors 6-5 on post-match penalties on Saturday at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka to advance to the final round of the 2016 Chan qualifiers.

The first round, final leg match was decided on post-match penalties after Zambia won 2-1 at home to see the tie level at 3-3 on aggregate.

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.

Meanwhile in regulation time, Zambia took the lead through a 30th minute Festus Mbewe header before Benjamin Nenavu equalised in the 45th minute.

Kalengo handed Zambia a lifeline in the 75th minute before the game was decided on the lottery of spot kicks.

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.