• ZAMBIA midfielder Allan Mukuka (left) unleashes a shot as Adams Ahmed of Ghana closes in during the 2015 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup Plate semi-final match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa yesterday. Picture by MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX
From MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
In Rustenburg, South Africa
Zambia 3 Ghana 0
COACH Honour Janza praised the Chipolopolo’s mentality as the out-going champions put up a strong first half dominant display to thump Ghana and book a place in the COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup Plate final.
Goals from Bornwell Mwape, Aaron Katebe and captain Nathan Sinkala gave Zambia an emphatic victory that came rather a bit too late following their elimination from the main cup after losing 5-4 to Namibia.
“It is a good result though we would have loved to defend our cup. But this performance gives hope for tomorrow and we shall use the tournament to prepare for what is coming ahead. Ghana was a good opposition and we learnt one or two things,” he said in an interview at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Janza said he was also happy that the players reacted well and did not give Ghana any space to play.
Ghana coach, Maxwell Konadu conceded defeat and said Zambia played well.
On the field of play, Mwape started the scoring in the 16th minute capitalising on Ghana defenders failure to clear a Sinkala initial effort from a Jackson Mwanza tapping in with ease the rebound.
Defender Katebe then opened his account at senior level with a clinical finish in the 29th minute before fit-again Sinkala made sure of the result volleying in the goal in the 41st minute past keeper Fatau Dauda.
Mwape had a good chance in the 16th minute but the Amazulu striker fired wide at goal much to the relief of Dauda as his team failed to find a break upfront as the first half ended in Zambia’s favour.
The second half saw the out-going COSAFA champions relax a bit allowing Ghana to come back into the match but the Black Stars could not find a goal past Kennedy Mweene.
Meanwhile, Allan Mukuka was voted man-of-the-match and expressed happiness with the team’s recovery with a win.
