AFCON 2023: Zambia beat Comoros 2-1

Zambia came from behind to beat Comoros 2-1 in their second group game in the TotalEnergies 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification on Tuesday.

To get their AFCON campaign back on track, the Chipolopolo needed a last-gasp goal to beat the obstinate visitors at Lusaka’s National Heroes Park. It was their first competitive match win under Croatian coach Aljosa Asanovic, putting the 3-1 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire in the first qualifier game 0 behind them.

Despite the fact that the home team started the game better, Comoros scored first in the 13th minute when El Fardou Ben Mohammed took advantage of a miscommunication with defender Tandi Mwape to push the ball past goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata.

On the stroke of halftime, the Chipolopolo equalised through captain Enock Mwepu’s wonderful control and strike. Kings Kangwa, a Chipolopolo substitute, scored the game-winner two minutes from time with a magnificent free-kick from the edge of the box.

Zambia joined Cote d’Ivoire and Comoros on three points in the Group H standings with the win. In the next round of group matches in September, Zambia will face Lesotho in back-to-back fixtures.