Micho’s squad continues to underperform as Chipolopolo are nailed in Sudan

Sudan 3-2 Zambia (Mohammed Abdelharin 3′, Athar Altahir 17′, Mohamed Abdallah 22′ | Brian Mwila 19′, 86′)

The Zambia national soccer team posted another poor result on their current international friendly match tour when they were beaten 3 – 2 by Sudan.

The Chipolopolo just never got going despite coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević freshen the team up by making seven changes to the team that started against Benin.

In defense, Makabaniso Magenge was given his international debut while Isaac Shamujopa made his first start for Zambia on the tour. Benson Sakala returned to the starting XI together with Collins Sikombe and Golden Mafwenta.

Brian Mwila was also given a start and there was also a place for Amity Shamenda in the starting XI.

Mwila made the most of his first start for Zambia since March 2018 to bag a brace that proved to be a face saver for an otherwise poor display by Micho’s squad.

Sudan started brightly and were ahead in the third minute when Zambia failed to defend a set piece. A cross from the right side was met by an unmarked defender but Mwenya Chibwe did well to keep out the initial effort. The rebound fell in the path of Mohammed Abdelharin who was first to react and he made no mistake from close range.

Zambia were then caught on a counter attack from a corner. Despite managing to get men behind the ball, the Zambia defense was split open with some incisive passes that ended with Athar Altahir cracking an unstoppable shot from the top of the box that beat Chibwe in the 17th minute.

Zambia pulled one back two minutes later when Mwila reacted sharply to a ball played to him in the box to finish with his first touch on the half-turn inside the box.

Unfortunately, the Chipolopolo could not hold tight at the back and they again conceded in the 22nd minute when Mohamed Abdallah ran into a the space left by Prosper Chiluya on the left. He spotted Chibwe off his line creatively lobbed a shot over him for Sudan’s third.

Micho made four changes at the break. Benedict Chepeshi, Salulani Phiri, Paul Katema and Gregory Sanjase came in for Makabaniso Magenge, Amity Shamende, Golden Mafwenta and Mwenya Chibwe.

There was little in display from the Zambia team and they hardly trouble Ali Abdallah Abseshren in the Sudanese goal.

There was however still one more shout for Mwila as the Buildcon man pounced on a loose back pass to go round the goalkeeper to slot home Zambia’s second.

The two teams will meet again on Sunday at the same venue.