March 27, 2022

Benin come from behind to snatch a friendly win over Zambia

The Zambia national team gave away a one goal lead to lose 2-1 at the hands of the Squirrels of Benin in their second friendly match of the March FIFA window played at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey on Sunday

The two teams started slow with neither side wanting to give anything away.

Zambia came into the match looking for their first win over Benin having never beaten the Squirrels in the previous four meetings.

Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba’s last goal in Chipolopolo colors was an equalizer in Zambia’s 1-2 win away against South Africa in an international friendly back in November, 2020

Israeli based Lameck Banda was the most lively player from the onset coming close to troubling the keeper twice in the opening twenty minutes.

Zambia opened the scores in the 23rd minute through Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba who pounced on a loose ball before unleashing a beautiful curler to put Zambia in the lead.

The Squirrels have now extended their unbeaten run against Zambia to 5 games since 2002

The lead did not last long as Cebio Soukou leveled matters in the 34th minute with a brilliant goal on the edge of the box, something similar to Chris Katongo’s goal against Equatorial Guinea at the 2012 AFCON.

Coach Aljosa Asanovic withdrew Enock Mwepu, Clatous Chota Chama and Rodrick Kabwe for Prince Mumba, Emmanuel Banda and Shemmy Mayembe to freshen up things.

The substitutes who came on didn’t offer much

Prince Mumba came close in the 76th minute but his effort went wide while Emmanuel Banda’s shot was blocked.

With six minutes left to play, the Squirrels took the lead through Aiyegun Tosin who beat Toaster Nsabata from the edge of the box after being found unmarked with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The Chipolopolo Boys have lost two of their last 3 friendly matches

The Chipolopolo Boys pilled pressure in the final minutes but could not find a way back, 2-1 the match finished.

Zambia has now failed to beat Benin in five meetings, drawing three and losing the other two matches.

International Friendly Match

Full Time: Zambia 1-2 Benin (Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba 23′ | Cebio Soukou 35′, Aiyegun Tosin 83′)

Zambia XI v Benin: Toaster Nsabata – Lubambo Musonda, Frankie Musonda (Dominic Chanda 71′), Tandi Mwape, Roderick Kabwe (Shemmy Mayembe 46′) – Lameck Banda,, Kings Kangwa, Enock Mwepu (Emmanuel Banda 46′), Kelvin Kampamba – Clatous Chama (Prince Mumba 46′), Gamphani Lungu,

Unused Subs: Charles Kalumba (gk), Lawrence Mulenga (gk), Benedict Chepeshi, Prosper Chiluya, Miguel Chaiwa, Shemmy Mayembe,

Benin XI v Zambia: Saturnin Allagbe – Moise Adilehoun, Adenon Khaled, Doresmus, David Kiki – Cebio Soukou, Junior Olaitan, Rodrigue Kossi, – Jodel Dossou, Anane Tidjani, Marcelin Koukpo