Striker Winston Kalengo scored a lone goal as Zambia kicked off the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 win over Sudan away at Karima Sports Complex on Wednesday evening.

Kalengo benefited from a defensive error in the opponents backline to slot a low shot into an empty net after 29 minutes to aid Chipolopolo edge Sudan in this first leg tie of the knock out round two World Cup qualifier.

As expected it was a tough game but resilience proved the difference between the two sides.

The match played on a pitch resembling a polo ground started on a slow note with Zambian players seemingly struggling to adapt to the sandy playing surface at Karima Sports Complex.

Kennedy Mweene kept George Lwandamina’s side into the game with some fines saves in the opening ten minutes before defender Boyd Mkandawire saw his effort from outside the box miss the target my inches.

After carrying a 1-0 advantage into the break, Zambia played the last half with a cautious mind as they defended in numbers. Zambia survived numerous scares from Sudan before the final whistle.

Meanwhile, Zambia and Sudan clash in the return leg on Sunday in Ndola with the overall winner advancing to the group stage of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

15 COMMENTS

paul.manangwa November 11, 2015 At 10:30 pm

congrates the Cu bullets.
- Nostradamus November 12, 2015 At 3:10 am
  
  That is the Boyd Mkandawire they underrate, at-least today he almost scored.
- Chilyata November 12, 2015 At 5:28 am
  
  ….ypu sound like a chicken….”almost scored”…is it sensible to celebrate almost?? Get your head thoroughly checked by a nurologist AND 3 psychologists!!
Jay Jay November 11, 2015 At 11:28 pm

Zambia is going NOWHERE!!
- mj banda November 12, 2015 At 3:32 am
  
  The mind of a pure foreigner thinking nothing of other people. I think you wanted to add politics here
tom November 11, 2015 At 11:54 pm

Congratulations boys
mutre November 12, 2015 At 5:16 am

Congratulation boys u have done us proud keep the same spirit and be focused so that we win again on sunday.
- Chilyata November 12, 2015 At 5:32 am
  
  Congrats basankwa!! Something to cheer us up before we think of whats happening to our kwacha. Everybody in Zambia is an economist…real suffering! Vote wisely next year!!
Mr rite November 12, 2015 At 5:42 am

Comment: congrats boys, but next time try to attack rather than defending throught 90mins
Rodney November 12, 2015 At 6:31 am

Congratulations boys for a hard fought win away. The pitch was terrible and hence it was difficult to play our passing game. The defence was resilient and kept the Sudanese front line at bay. Let us come and hammer them at Levy on Sunday.
chimangeni Mapiko November 12, 2015 At 8:47 am

Sudan should learn that mind games don’t work on us anymore . we have become resilient! If the game was in Khartoum they could have done better. The pitch also worked against them
zambian November 12, 2015 At 12:34 pm

Nothing like a lot of scares ba editor. That was just a perfect way to win an away game. I think we were quite solid when we tried to defend and we simply restricted them to pumping long balls into the box.
Uwatambile Baskopo November 12, 2015 At 7:57 pm

It was a boring game. I ve never watched a game as dull as that. Players just kicking the ball upfront no entertainment. The pitch didnt help matters
- V.V. Dkuchaev November 13, 2015 At 8:01 pm
  
  CHI BASKOP ULICHIPUBA IWE!!!!!! WABA UBUSHILU!!! GO ZAMBIA GO!!!!
eric jr November 13, 2015 At 9:23 pm

well done guys.God help us to qualify