Sikombe the hero again as Zambia edge Malawi
Collins Sikombe scored the only goal of the game as the locally based Chipolopolo narrowly edged the Flames of Malawi 1-0.
Micho started with a strong line up with Emmanuel Chabula leading the attack while Collins Sikombe was partnered by Leonard Mulenga and Kelvin Kapumbu in midfield. Luka Banda, Zacharia Chilongoshi, Kondwani Chiboni, and Benson Sakala making up the back four.
Zambia started strong with a beautiful interchange of passes in midfield, Sikombe pulling the strings.
Zambia took the lead 14 minutes into the match after new Zesco United man Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba picked out Collins Sikombe with a brilliant pass and the NAPSA Stars midfielder made no mistake slotting home from close range to put Zambia in the lead.
Zambia could have made it 2-0 six minutes later but Sikombe, Chabula, and Chaniza failed to slot home with Malawi defenders blocking the efforts.
Zambia continued to control the game and had another chance just before the break, but Chabula failed to direct his header at goal after a good cross from Zachariah Chilongoshi.
In the second half, Micho made a number of changes changing the composition of the team. Gozon Mutale, Godfrey Ngwenya, and Amity Shamende came in for Zachariah Chilongoshi, Kelvin Kapumbu, and Collins Sikombe and later Jackson Kakunta came in for Sebastian Mwange while Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba, Emmanuel Chabula, and Benson Sakala made way for Bruce Musakanya, Akakulubelwa Mwachiaba, and Dominic Chanda.
The temple dropped with the new players as Malawi now started controlling the match.
The Copper Bullets came close again in the 73rd minute as Bruce Musakanya connected with Shamende cross with heavy touch but Mwachiaba failed to react quickly with the ball rolling out inches from the post.
A minute later Zambia nearly conceded as Orlando Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhago chipped an onrushing Jackson Kakunta but Dominic Chanda cleared before the ball could cross the line.
Zambia held off a late challenge by the Flames to win the match 1-0 and start their three international friendly matches tour with a win. Sikombe has now scored in Zambia’s last two games both against Malawi and won by a 1-0 scoreline.
Next up for the Copper Bullets is a match against Kenya on Friday at Nyayo Stadium and a battle against Bafana Bafana on Sunday.
ZAMBIA XI AGAINST MALAWI: Sebastian Mwange (GK) 1 (Jackson Kakunta 67′), Kondwani Chiboni 4, Zacharia Chilongoshi 23 (Gozon Mutale 55′), Luka Banda 5, Benson Sakala(C) 6 (Dominic Chanda 67′), Kelvin Kapumbu 15 (Godfrey Ngwenya 55′), Leonard Mulenga 8, Chaniza Zulu 22 (Benedict Chepeshi 79′), Collins Sikombe 14 (Amity Shamende 55′), Kelvin Kampamba 7 (Bruce Musakanya 67′), Emmanuel Chabula 17 (Akakulubelwa Mwachiaba 67′)
UNUSED SUBS: Lameck Siame 18, Thomas Zulu 2, 10, 12, Joseph Banda 20,
MALAWI XI AGAINST ZAMBIA: 1.Brighton Munthali (William Thole 66′), 2. Stanley Sanudi (Nixon Nyasulu 80′) 3. Charles Petro, 5. Dennis Chembezi (Peter Cholopi. 46′) 12.Precious Simbani 16. John Banda ( Micium Mhone 85′) 15. Chimango Kaira (Chimwemwe Idana 46′) 10. Gerald Phiri Jnr 20.(Chikoti Chirwa 46′) 20. Yamikani Chester (Schumacher Kuwali 65′) 11. Gabadinho Mhango (Hassan Kajoke 80′), 9. Richard Mbulu (Chawanangwa Kaonga 65′)