Chipolopolo beaten in Kenya in International Friendly
The Zambia national soccer team went down 2- 1 to Kenya in an international friendly match played at Nyayo stadium in that country.
Kenya controlled the first half and were on top of proceedings in the first half and deservedly led 2 – 0 at half time through a Tandi Mwape own goal and a brilliant strike by Cliff Nyakeya.
Chipolopolo coach Micho thrust all his foreign based contingent into play from the start but the display was disjoint as the hosts controlled the match.
Zambia were punished in the 20th minute when neat interchange of play on the left saw both Zacharia Chilongoshi and Kabaso Chongo beaten with the attacker smashing his cross onto Mwape who could do little but see the ball turn into his own goal.
The Kenyan goalkeeper Ian Otieno who plays for Zesco United on the other had was not being troubled enough. In the 36th minute, Zambia was caught on the counter attack with Nakeya out pacing the Zambian defenders who escorted him as he unleashed a powerful shot that saw Sebastian Mwange beaten at the near post.
Micho made changes at the break which saw Ghampani Lungu and Collins Sikombe come in for Edward Chilufya and Benson Sakala.
Zambiaa dominated the entire second half and two substitutes Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba and Emmanuel Chabula combined for Chabula to pull one back with 10 minutes to play.
Zambia thought they had clinched the equalizer in the 84th minute when a ball from a corner was bundled over line and hooked back, with Lubambo scoring again from the second ball but the second assistant raised the flag in very unclear circumstances.
Kenya then held on to grab a morale boosting win.
Zambia now fly to South Africa where they play Bafana Bafana on Sunday.
Zambia XI v Kenya
Sebastian Mwange (GK) 1, Lubambo Musonda 11, Zacharia Chilongoshi 23, Tandi Mwape 2, Kabaso Chongo© 14, Benson Sakala (Collins Sikombe) 6, Kelvin Kapumbu (Mulenga Leonard) 15, Edward Chilufya (Ghampani Lungu) 22, Klings Kangwa 17 (Chaniza Zulu), Evans Kangwa (Kelvin Kampamba) 8, Fashion Sakala 10 (Emmanuel Chabula)