10-man Zambia squandered 1-0 lead to draw with hosts Botswana in 2014 CHAN qualifier away at Molepolole.

The games ended 1-1 in a game that saw both goals come in the last 12 minutes of the first half.

Botswana started the game the strongly and kept Zambia goalkeeper Daniel Munyau busy throughout the first half.

Jackie Mothatego and Lemponye Tshireletso had fine chances denied by Munyau in the 28th and 40th minutes respectively.

Moses Phiri, who replaced an out of sorts Bornwell Mwape in the 36th minute, was unfortunate to see his 43rd close-range shot saved by Botswana goalkeeper Michael Pepukani.

Zambia were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute after Alex Ngonga was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Botswana smelt blood thanks to their numerical superiority but Zambia held on thanks to some great goalkeeping and poor finishing by their hosts.

Zambia punished their hosts in the 79th minute when Nkana striker Festus Mbewe latched on to a poor back pass to calmly slot in the opening goal.

Botswana levelled five minutes later when Lemponye Tshireletso fired in an unstoppable free kick to ensure there was still all to play for on August 3 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

The winner over both legs will face Zimbabwe or Mauritius in the second and final qualifying round.

17 COMMENTS

Jay Jay July 27, 2013 At 7:54 pm

Déjà vu
Chills July 27, 2013 At 8:15 pm

Conceding just after we have scored is no good.We need to learn from it.
MR BEAN July 27, 2013 At 9:04 pm

Renard is a draw specialist
anyoko July 27, 2013 At 9:34 pm

Its time to find another coach before Ghana game , how about Emmanuel Munaile?
- Nostradamus July 28, 2013 At 2:14 am
  
  Munaile is an MP.
- chisala July 28, 2013 At 7:23 pm
  
  anyoko indeed
Mutu ukakula July 27, 2013 At 9:44 pm

Although an outright win is what I thirsted for, I will derive bliss in a 1 all draw given the circumstances.
Jimmy did not have a good game today as he was exposed on isolated occasions. Kapungu was comparatively better but his curling free kicks weren’t as good. The central defense seemed better today. They were compact on the ground and superior in the air. They were also able to pass the ball unlike those speculative passes frequent in the COSAFA tournament.
In middle field, Kalume was evidently absent with Mtonga visible much more in defense than attack. For Mukuka, he did not influence the game either as those darting runs and slick passes were few and far between. Ngonga played a rung below expectations. The partnership of Festus and Bornwell is yet to impress. Fair result.
- Kas July 28, 2013 At 8:21 am
  
  I agree with your analysis of the game spot on. I had the privilege of being at the game, you could tell the lads were tired from the win and celebrations from the COSAFA games. It was indeed a fair result we should skin the Zebras at Levy. The venue did not help matters it made the game appear like a practice match.
Kanjimaano July 27, 2013 At 10:22 pm

# 5 Mutu ukakula
You analysed the game quite well, did you personal watch it?
msana wanzili July 27, 2013 At 10:43 pm

Too many draws, whats happening? Come on Renard get your act togther.
And then why is the CHAN going to be hosted by South Africa again?
- the outsider July 28, 2013 At 4:24 am
  
  South Africa will host because they don’t always find it easy to qualify for tournaments but they are great at hosting. i think its a fair deal. Good of them. Please host the world cup again if Brazil fails.. Do you know that you can play in the world cup again. We love you and we are going to miss Bafana Bafana at the world cup if Brazil goes ahead and hosts the 2014 tournament.
Nostradamus July 28, 2013 At 2:17 am

Boys are tired.
And that Bornwell Mwape is a disappointment, seems Festus Mbewe is now the best player. How did Evans Kangwa play?
Dunga July 28, 2013 At 6:26 am

#msana Wanzili,South Africa are hosting the CHAN coz they hosted the CAN that’s why…the game was so boring as if the boys were playing for a draw.donno why Renard dint start with a Moses Phiri and Evans Kangwa partnership upfront???
Soccer Commentator July 28, 2013 At 7:30 am

How can we be drawing against the smallest of teams in the region? People will say…football has changed, there is nothing like small teams anymore. But as long as we do not start winning away games, we should kiss good bye to the thought of ever playing at the World Cup. Ghana are on top slot right now because they won all their away games, excerpt the one at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium . The best Renard can do is draws away from home… Draw against Lesotho… Now draw against Botswana. Who are we going to beat away? Come on FAZ, it is time to change course. Renard has failed.
landa July 28, 2013 At 8:04 am

Congrats Renard and the boys.Please take Ngonga to Ghana to take free kicks.He will plug two.
Mutu ukakula July 28, 2013 At 8:09 am

And the Vanguard newspaper of Nigeria reports that the Eagles of Nigeria have qualified after surviving a stampede from the elephants of Ivory Coast on Saturday. Nigeria lost 2-0 but still sail through, the paper reports, via 4-3 aggregate after winning 4–1 at home a fortnight ago.
The Vanguard further adds that Mauritania, Morocco, Angola, Ghana, Libya, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Uganda are the other teams that have already qualified for CHAN 2014 to be hosted by SA.
Just for the information of soccer lovers like me!
- Kanjimaano July 28, 2013 At 8:55 am
  
  Yes..thats true =D