Sports

Zambia thumps Congo 4-2 in thrilling World Cup qualifier

Published

3 weeks ago

November 18, 2023

The Chipolopolo of Zambia kickstarted their African 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on a sound footing by thumping Congo Brazzaville 4-2 in a thrilling encounter played at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Friday.

The Zambian team began the goal rout with a brace from former Leicester striker, Patson Daka, before Italy-based forward, Lameck Banda and Fashion Sakala added a goal each to take the east Africans to the summit of Group E.

Zambia had drawn the first blood through Daka early in the 5th minute of the match but the Congolese soon responded with two quick goals in the space of two minutes from Silvere and Bons Bassouamina to cause panic for the home team.

Congo got the equalizer in the 13th minute through Silvere before taking the lead two minutes later after a Bassouamina goal.

But in the 31st minute, Banda struck Zambia’s equalizer from six yards out.

The Copper Bullets were denied another goal in the 36th minute when a Fashion goal was ruled offside.

Banda’s goal was a beauty to behold as he picked up a loose ball from outside the box and dribbled past a Congolese defender inside the eighteen yard box before firing home to restore parity at the stroke of half time.

Zambia took control of the second half and continued to dominate possession but it was not until the 70th minute that Fashion scored from a Banda cross to put Zambia ahead for the second time in the match.

Zambia will travel to Niger Republic next week Tuesday in the quest for a maiden World Cup appearance.

Related Topics:Congo Featured World Cup Zambia

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Sports

Zimbabwe seals last gasp winner over Ireland in T20 Series opener

Published

3 hours ago

December 8, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Host, Zimbabwe, started its 2023 T20 Series on a winning note after rallying back to defeat Ireland from 88-7 to 106-7 in their pursuit of an 118 to end the tie for victory, with the home side requiring 12 runs from as many deliveries at that point.

In the thrilling game played in Harare on Thursday, Ireland’s fightback was not enough as they fell just short as Zimbabwe sealed a last-ball win in the series opener.

Ireland had earlier taken control of the game and posted 147-8 while the hosts needed nine runs from their final over, winning it with two from Blessing Muzarabani off the last delivery.

Captain Sikandar Raza who was voted man of the match, took three wickets and scored 65 to lead their run chase.

Raza was supported with the bat by Wesley Madhevere, who scored 25, with wicketkeeper Clive Madande hitting 20.

Two further T20 contests between the sides will take place at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday and Sunday before three one-day games at the same venue on 13, 15 and 17 December.

Sports

CAF Award: Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi make fiinal three shortlist

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

In-form Nigeria and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has made the final three-man list for the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award which will hold on December 11 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Osimhen, who had a sterling last season where he led Napoli to its first Italian league title in 33 years with 26 goals to end as the first African player to win the top scorer award in the Serie A, will battle for the crown with Egyptian captain and Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, and Moroccan defender, Achraf Hakimi, who plays for PSG in the French Ligue One.

Many football pundits in the continent have so far tipped the Lagos-born Osimhen to pick the diadem ahead of Salah and Hakimi.

The latest to give the gong to the former Lille player was mercurial ex-Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, who believes Osimhen has done enough to be named CAF Player of the Year for 2023 after his exploits with his Italian club and the Eagles.

In an interview on Wednesday, Okocha said the 24-year-old Osimhen’s consistency at the highest level had won him the prestigious gong already.

“Osimhen deserves it because for me, he was the most consistent player of last season,” the former PSG midfield star said in the interview.

If Osimhen goes ahead to win the award, he will be the second Nigerian player to achieve the feat after Nwankwo Kanu who won the CAF Player of the Year Award in 1999.