By SANDRA MWILA –
Namibia 0 Zambia 0 (4-3 penalties)
‘CHICKEN’ George Lwandamina was left with a lot to ponder about after watching his Chipolopolo misfire before losing 3-4 on penalties to Namibia at the Four-Nation Invitational third-place play-off in Angola yesterday.
With the Chipolopolo playing Sudan twice in the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers, failure to score in two matches should be ground for worry for Lwandamina, especially that half of the players on display are likely to make the team.
Zambia kicked off the campaign with a 3-0 trouncing at the hands of DR Congo in the semi-finals before losing yesterday’s game. The Chipolopolo guest Sudan on Wednesday before playing hosts on Sunday.
Mwila Phiri, Spencer Sautu and Mwelwa Mwape scored for the Chipolopolo during the lottery penalties with Jack Chirwa and Buchizya Mfune missing their kicks as goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata managed to save Ananias Gebhardt kick.
Namibia, who also eliminated Zambia on spot-kicks at the COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup in South Africa, scored through Heini Isaacks, Dennis Tjetjinda, Emilio Martins and Muna Kayupose.
Yesterday’s match saw Lwandamina make a wholesale of changes bringing Nsabata in goal with Solomon Sakala, Chirwa, Conlyde Luchanga, Benedict Chepeshi Moses Phiri, Sautu, Buchizya Mfune, Saulani Phiri, Clatous Chota and Dauti Musekwa making the starting 11.
The likes of Jacob Banda and striker Winston Kalengo were left to give chance to other players as the technical bench assessed all the players ahead of naming a strong squad to face Sudan.
Festus Mbewe was introduced in the 53rd minute for Moses Phiri in a bid to find the winning goal and the Red Arrows striker came close but his point-blank diving header was saved shortly before the final whistle.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) committee member Lee Kawanu, who is also delegation leader, said the coach this time around opted to use more of the Under-23 players.
Kawanu said the players showed some flashes of good skill and technique despite failing to find the back of the net.