From SHAMAOMA MUSONDA
at Umuganda Stadium
Uganda 0 Zambia 1 –

• ZAMBIA’S Christopher Katongo is fouled by Keziron Kizito of Uganda during yesterday’s Rwanda 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) game in Rubavu. Picture by Ryan Wilkisky

CAPTAIN fantastic, Christopher Katongo inspired Zambia to the quarter finals of the ongoing Rwanda 2016 African Nations Championships (CHAN) finals after scoring the only goal which he dedicated to coach George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina.
“I dedicate the goal to the coach George Lwandamina, he has believed in me a lot and brought me back to the national team and makes me work hard,” said Katongo after captaining Zambia to a hard fought win over Uganda.
Katongo put in an all-round performance together with Cletus Chama and helped the Chipolopolo shut out Uganda, who are also the 2015 CECAFA champions and suffered their first defeat in nine matches, a matter that has been taken bitterly by the team and coach.
Uganda coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic claimed Zambia was lucky to win the game as his side played well.
“We attacked them and dominated the second half but they made their chance count. It’s also bad that we did not threaten Zambia’s goal enough to beat them,” Micho said.
Lwandamina said Zambia was attacked at high pace but managed to bring Uganda to play the Chipolopolo’s game after which they allowed his side dictate play and win the game comfortably.
While it was a joyous day for Zambia, neighbours Zimbabwe, who reached the semi finals of the last edition, were sent packing out of the CHAN after losing 1-0 to Mali thanks to a 82nd minute goal from Moussa Sissoko.
Zambia top Group D with six points followed by their Wednesday opponent Mali on four while Uganda have one and Zimbabwe bottom without a point.
Meanwhile, the game started on a high with end-to-end action especially in the first 20 minutes that could have seen either side score twice.
Uganda were, however, the first to pepper the Zambian goal after creating a clear shooting chance on 10 minutes through forward Erisa Ssekisambu but he skewed his shot high and wide.
Zambia’s response was immediate but the first-time connection by teenager Patson Daka was weak as goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya easily dealt with it.
Then Christopher Munthali, a last minute inclusion in the starting team, failed to make decent contact with the ball at the back post off a Chama free kick for Kigonya to happily collect before captain fantastic Katongo controlled an Isaac Chansa cross from the right and lobbed over an advancing keeper but agonisingly saw Ssekisambu clear the ball off the line in the 17th minute.
Uganda needed to show something as Zambia’s dominance started rising and had Ivan Ntege skiing his connection from a good position on 20 minutes before Zambia wasted another chance and this time from Chama who got  onto the end of a sweet Adrian Chama pass, controlled it well but placed his shot wide.
Uganda’s best chance of the half came on 31 minutes and a deliciously well taken free kick by Joseph Ochaya was met by an even tastier save from a fully stretched dive of Jacob Banda on 31 minutes.
But Zambia, or is it Katongo was not to be stopped for much longer, as the 2012 Africa Cup winning captain, not the tallest on the pitch, got onto a Chama free-kick and placed a powerful header passed Kigonya into the net to spark wild celebrations.
Katongo celebrated with his trademark acrobatics before adding the new celebration where he greets and salutes his fellow players as the commander of the team.
But the first half ended with Salulani Phiri limping off with a suspected groin injury.