Collins Mbesuma scored one and created one to inspire Zambia to victory after ending his 12-month exile to see Chipololopolo make a dramatic comeback to beat Kenya 2-1 in a gusty performance and win their first Group E qualifier.
The win puts Zambia second in Group E tied on 4 points with Congo-Brazzaville who beat Guinea Bissau 4-2 away on Saturday.
Goals from Zesco United striker Winston Kalengo and Mbesuma, of Mpumalanga Black Aces in South Africa, handed Zambia the three points in Nairobi on Sunday.
Kenya stunned Zambia when they took the early lead in the 12th minute when Michael Olunga stomped in the ball after a defensive blunder by defender Aaron Katebe following some good work by Kenya’s impressive winger Ayub Timbe.
Jack Chirwa almost equalized for Zambia in the 22nd minute but goalkeeper Arnold Origi saved from close-range.
Kalengo leveled scores with an unstoppable rocket in the 31st minute after a fine layoff from Mbesuma.
Kalengo returned the favour in the 41st minute when he threaded the ball to Mbesuma who fired in a trademark left-foot shot on the near post.
Kenya put the foot on the gas in the second half but Lwandamina decided to park the bus to see Zambia record a rare away victory that they picked up after coming from behind.
Zambia face Congo next on March 23, 2016 to decide who goes top of the log on match-day-three on the road to the 2017 finals in Gabon.
Mbesuma is a very patriotic citizen, he always turns up when called upon.
Good show chipolopolo!!!
Kikikiki that “Patriotic” sounds cool, we hope PF will not capitalize on it to claim that Mbesuma and Chipolopolo are patriotic!!
Well done Chicken Grorge! I hope Congo won’t bring guns to the notorious low altitude Ponte Noire stadium. Lets prepare well for them
But March 2016 is too far… by then the winning team will never exist. We know how Zambian technical bench works, ” learning 1 or 2 things and building the future”.
To Kennedy I saw sorry man for my comments, but you scared me off because of last 3 games, otherwise JOB WELL DONE! together with the under 23 players. To Kalengo, good game man, at 30 years that when soccer starts, ask Joseph Musonda.
Twasanta ba Lwandamina
Congrats #chipolopolo proud of you. Love from Seattle
Congrats. I really wanted to watch this game but couldn`t find site.
That was a shoddy performance by Zambia in the second half. How do you pack yourselves like that in your own half for 45 minutes? You were lucky not to have conceded a goal. Wake up next time.
We have been here before countless, if we don’t sort out Zambia’s underlining issues which is administration and management we will never go anywhere.
Anyway Zombie fans have very short memories!!
oh boy that is a boring topic to bring this time… Crap!!!Crap!!!Crap!!!Crap!!!
Comment
Always off-topic, this hombre!
Congraturation boys. You have done us proud because Kenya thought they won the game before even kicking the ball. There national TV continued to boast that they will beat Chipolopolo. So never mind how the boys played what counts is that they have humbled Kenyans in their backyard.
Comment:weldone chipolopolo,a credit goes to mbesuma and Winston for their goals tht awarded Zambia three points #weldone boyz
IAM HAPPY… PROUD TO BE ZAMBIAN
people you are always bitter, why bother about Zambia which is not your country. There is only one reason and that is madness. you bring unconnected or disgrace from the topic at hand why? We can’t always talk politics all the time its insane.
congrats Chicken George. You’ve shown Honor Janza that it’s not papers that make one to be a great coach but dedication, determination, devotion and being open minded.
Zambian fans trust you to deliver once again…
We wasted time with that TONGA MAN to couch the team . Zambian couches should understand the importance of experienced players .Every team in Europe,north and South America and all footballing big teams depends on experience to achieve the desered goal .PLEASE LET’S INVOLVE THE LIKES OF JACOB MULENGA, MAYUKA ,FWAYO as good replacement for CHRIS KATONGO.MBESUMA Worked had to put off WANYAMA out of game .I see Zambia reclaim the title this time.We can do it. KALU for life….?????????
Congratulations boys.At last the coaches realise who Mbesuma is.He is what Kalusha was to Zambia.You cant do without him.The last time Zambia went to Congo-Brazzaville,Mbesuma scored a hatrick in that famous 3-2 win by Zambia.Here comes the Mbesuma powered Chipolopolo.Good luck boys and God bless Zambia.
South Africa I hate will only qualify when hosting. We wasted time with that TONGA COUCH who didn’t want experienced players .The all continent rely on experience and young ones are just fused in .Its been like that for Zambia .When Zambia beat ITALY ESTONE MULENGA THE BEST EVER THIS COUNTRY PRODUCED was on the bench.Lets bring JACOB ,MAYUKA ,FWAYO as best replacement for KATONGO.I see Zambia reclaiming it.We can do it…
Awe naimwe the players you are mentioning are long gone and besides those were never great players but great chances. The frontline that we are having is great
Hopeful Lungu will fulfil his promise of a national team bus.. And the money not coming from govt confer
Comment: @ jay jay, are you human?
Pk, you cannot even spell coach…..you sound like a danger to yourself careful you may stumble and fall on your head.