Chipolopolo conjured a very rare stoppage time rally to snatch point away in Windhoek where they finished 1-1 against Namibia on match -day-two of the 2019 AFCON Group K qualifiers.
It was Zambia’s first point in the Group K qualifiers after losing 1-0 at home to Mozambique on June 10, 2017 in Ndola.
But Vandenbroeck clearly has a hard act to follow from his predecessor Wedson Nyirenda, who despite a lot of criticisms during his tenure, showed direction on his debut in a 2-1 home loss to Nigeria in October, 2016.
A case in question is why influential midfielder Enock Mwepu only came on in the last 12 minutes of a disjointed game that veterans Rainford Kalaba and Nathan Sinkala failed to show any command after ending over a year in exile.
Sinkala, though, did hit the post in the 55th minute while Kalaba’s header was parried in the first half by Namibia goalkeeper Virgil Vries.
Left-back Kabaso Chongo was Zambia’s best player on the day with a convincing display in central defence where he partnered Stopilla Sunzu.
Meanwhile, both sides scored through their respective substitutes in the last quarter of the match.
Benson Shilongo put Namibia ahead in the 78th minute, ten minutes after he came on, after sweeping past Sunzu who was covering for an absent Lawrence Chungu.
Justin Shonga then fired in a trademark free kick in stoppage time eight minutes after he replaced Patson Daka who had a goal-bound effort in the 73rd minute parried by Vries.
Zambia and Namibia collect their first points in Group K but stay 4th and 3rd respectively on 1 point.
Mozambique and Guinea Bissau stay first and second tied on 4 points after drawing 2-2 in the late afternoon Group K kickoff in Maputo.
Vandenbroeck and his team now fly out to Libreville to face Gabon in a friendly on Tuesday where it is hoped there will be some mitigation for the Belgian after collecting a D-Minus in his Windhoek test.
Comment: We have lost direction now as results can show. I thought we had improved under Nyirenda but its starting all over again now,chances of qualifying to the 2019 now looks slimmer.
Expatriate couch is a waste of time and money! Our local couches can do a better job. FAZ wake up and open your eyes!
Expatriate coach we cried for! I saw no difference between the way they played today and the beat they planned under Zambian coach! What a waste of ????!! Give chance to local coaches to develop like Namibia has done- local coach drawing with an expatriate!!
There was a difference, the performance was worse,not even with Wada have we performed so poorly,i dont think we need to see anymore,this ka coach is a fraud better even to bring back Wada.
Expatriate coach we cried for! I saw no difference between the way they played today and the beat they planned under Zambian coach! What a waste of ????!! Give chance to local coaches to develop like Namibia has done- local coach drawing with an expatriate!!
It’s not as simple as local or expatriate coach when it comes to football in Zambia. There are a whole host of factors to do with how football in general is run.
What do you expect when incompetent FAZ fails to arrange friendlies.
The whole Faz led by Kamanga is just the most incompetent football admin we ever had. As for the coach I will spare him for now considering that this was his first international game as Zambian head coach. Mwepu joined the team late and that could be one reason the coach had let him come from the bench, but next Mwepu and Lusambo should start the match.
A number of things were revealed y/day, a) Fashion Sakala is a lost cause, b) Kalaba (esp), Sunzu & Nathan are very close to their “sell by date,” c) Mwepu, Shonga & Kambole r “in form” & must play against G-Bissau, d) Solomon is not the answer @ No 2, e) Sven needs to separate the gong’as from the AK47s ASAP…
Snore….snore….snore…Sven? What’s that?
who despite a lot of criticisms during his tenure, showed direction on his debut in a 2-1 home loss to Nigeria in October, 2016.
I saw no direction in Wada except backwards
it’s to early to prove himself but he should wake up!
what do expect from Kalaba and the likes… I have no faith in the coach but have to be optimistic. I also have no basis to discredit the guy I don’t know him. So far not impressed with his team.
Who cares
Thanks
BB2014,2016
LEAVE THE COACH ALONE PLZ BENA ZAMBIA TOO MUCH TALK TALK YABA