Goalless stalemate for Zambia in Harare

Kennedy Mweene @ SS com

Kennedy Mweene @ SS com

Zambia and Zimbabwe played out to a barren draw in an international friendly match played at National Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Coach Wedson Nyirenda had made his attacking intentions clear in his lineup, having handed the front role to Jackson Mwanza and Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba.

It was the host team that started strong with Rodwell Chinyengetere having a shot across the face of goal that Taonga Bwembya blocked to concede a corner in the 10th minute.

The Zambians were getting warmed up and Fwayo Tembo had his effort easily dealt with from a set piece three minutes later.

In a cagey first half it was Zimbabwe goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda who provided a sideshow with his role as set piece taker in the Zambian half, with the crowd cheering him on.

Zambia stepped up their game and Kampamba was denied by Sibanda in the 39th minute to let the two sides go to the dressing room tied at 0-0.

It was Tembo who came closest in the dying minutes with Sibanda coming to the rescue once again.

In the second half Nyirenda shook up his side by throwing in Kelvin Mubanga for Fwayo Tembo and Richard Kasonde for Kampamba.

It was, however, Jackson Mwanza who was a thorn in the Zimbabwe backline and he twice came close from point blank range, but Sibanda denied him.

Zimbabwe’s Godknows Murwira brought the reflexes out of skipper Kennedy Mweene in the 84th minute when his goal-bound effort was parried away for a corner.

Mweene was called into action a few minutes later when Ronald Chitiyo fluffed an opportunity in the box when he opted to be flashy with a botched bicycle kick effort.

The two sides were using the match to prepare for their African Nations Championship (Chan).

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