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Zambia reach Nations Cup semi-finals

Chipolopolo cruise to Afcon semi-finals

Posted: Feb 4 2012

Zambia defeated 10-man Sudan 3-0 in the first quarter-final match of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Bata, Equatorial Guinea on Saturday.

Stophila Sunzu, Christopher Katongo and James Chamanga scored the goals that earned the Chipolopolo their victory.

The southern Africans looked the more purposeful side when the game began. They ran with the ball and dominated much of the possession as the Falcons of Jediane played catch up.

Their first attempt came on 13 minutes when Emmanuel Mayuka saw his volley stopped by goalkeeper El Hadi Salim.

The Chipolopolo were rewarded for their pressure two minutes later as Sunzu perfectly timed his run to get on the end of a Rainford Kalaba free kick and nod past Salim.

The Zambians almost doubled their lead on 34 minutes when Chisamba Lungu’s volley was held by Salim.

The Sudanese, regaining confidence after a long period of dominance by their opponents, had their first attempt on goal moments later when Mohammed Ahmed Basher’s volley was kept out by Kennedy Mweene.

The east Africans returned from the break more determined to play for a result as they took the fight to the Zambians. But they struggled to create chances to equalise.

The Falcons of Jediane nearly pulled one back after a series of clear passes but Mudather El Tahir’s volley sailed above the Zambian crossbar.

Minutes later, Basher shot straight at Mweene who suddenly became busier as the game wore on.

Sudan’s resolve was broken when defender Saif Eldin received a second yellow card and was sent off for his reckless lunging tackle on Kalaba, who was awarded a penalty kick.

Captain Katongo stepped up to play it and needed a second attempt to score after Salim stopped his first effort. Katongo’s quick response saw him pounce on the rebound to shoot past the outstretched goalkeeper and double the Zambian’s lead on 66 minutes.

Afterwards it was the Chipolopolo all the way as the Falcons of Jediane could not find the breakthrough that they badly needed.

Substitute Chamanga then put the game beyond the Sudanese with a late goal on 86 minutes.

After failing at the quarter-final in 2010 via penalty kicks to Nigeria, Zambia will go forward with full confidence that they can win the tournament for the first time this term. They will take on the winner in the battle between Tunisia and Ghana in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

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Emmanuel misebezi : 2012-02-04 20:40

The cup is ours !!! Lets go zambia lets go...

Sweyts : 2012-02-04 20:42

Much respect to Chipolopolo!

Katongo is a true leader with his never-say die attitude and positive outlook on the game.

Well done maZambane you rock!

Zakumi.com : 2012-02-04 20:55

Rise Chiefpololo Rise!! This cup belong here in Southern Africa

ayo : 2012-02-04 21:23

south african players r useless except,..nomvete th soldier

brazilitto : 2012-02-04 21:23

Eish dawane if I listened to u and puts my money on Mazambane. Mara I chose leziy'gora zakoSenegal.
Well done mazambane bring that cup down the african continent. So we with our banana don't have to travel far to get what belong to us. Lol

m\'Siyane : 2012-02-04 21:46

This proves hore those who buy players from Zambia(Bucs) buy quality match winners. But those who buy from Zim(you know who) buy quantity match fixers. Chipolopolo, re kaofela!!!

Sweyts : 2012-02-04 22:02

Brazilitto's Dawana lam, Zambia are the real deal and deserve all our support, they fight for one another and play with purpose, I would'nt be shocked if they went all the way with such enthusiasm and passion that they exhude,

Viva Chipolopolo!.........but hhayi kabi.....Chansa plays crap jong. mh.

Totalfootball : 2012-02-04 22:11

Zakumi.com


Its so funny how you guys are so desperate for success and you even end up associating yourself with everything and you end up trying to even called national teams by your rise Chiefpololo rise.my bru Zambia is not rising now,they have always being in the rise and please don't distort Chipolopolo,Zambians will be furious with you!you must accept that your Chimps is on the downfall than rise!finish and klaar.

TP : 2012-02-04 22:17

Nottingham Forrest owner(Nigel Doughty) found dead today at his home gym.

This is the same club Siphiwe Tshabalala tried his luck.

brazilitto : 2012-02-04 22:42

Eish Dawane leziy'duphunga sezi la to spoil Zambia's victory. Now it difficult to know who is dumb and dumber between the two

But surely dat rats scrap ship is filled with hobbos. At downs we don't only have quality players, but on the stands as well. Sundowns supporter will always be the best and different.

mhlonitjhwa : 2012-02-04 23:10

Siyanithokozisa bomakhelwani!

Siwe : 2012-02-05 07:29

Im glad that our technical advisor Mich D'avary is opening up talks with Rainfort Kalaba's agent,i knw we dnt have that much cash but we need atleast 60% of quality @ celtics

TshepisoMa : 2012-02-05 07:30

Jomo's fine tuning of Katongo is now paying dividends for Zambia. ONE LIFE, ONE LOVE, ONE JOMO COSMOS!! A better and more creative slogan than the dull rise khosi rise.

cyaman : 2012-02-05 08:34

i dnt knw y u r prasing bra j mara going zambia wil win dis afcon al da best.

 : 2012-02-05 11:16

well done chipolopolo uu had made southen africa

Matt/ Tremble4DaTrebleChamps: 2012-02-05 11:35

While it's an achievement that Zambia have done great justice thus far for the SADC region, one also needs to congratulate Sudan for making it that far in the Afcon. This country was war-torn for almost 50 years yet they proved against all odds and qualified for the this tournament and did very well. To me, they and Libya were the biggest winners of this tournament.

Sad though that Pitso and his boys (not men) failed to even qualify for this tournament and they happened to be the biggest cry babies.

Rrrhaaaa!!!!!

 : 2012-02-05 11:36

s.a players r useless n lazy.....is there any1 who can agree with m?

WILLARD: 2012-02-05 12:54

@m'Siyane
leave Zim out of this. You are always blaming others for your failures without doing any introspection. You talk as if you have the whole Zambian team at OPFC yet its only one at the moment. Players from your team dominate bafana which failed to qualify for this tournament. Grow up and get a life.

Sox: 2012-02-05 15:34

Good job Chipolopolo, yesterday i watched thre great SA plyers playing with the best it was nice to Surman destroying Bolton and Peanuts had a good game at Everton, then it was beatiful to see Masilela going at it with the likes of Ronaldo,Benzema they were beaten 1-0 but hey he had a good game here is the link http://www.soccer-blogger.com/2012/02/04/getafe-vs-real-madrid-2012-highlights-0-1-video-goal-sergio-ramos/