Zambia shrugged off sturdy Senegal to rally to win 2-1 and collect bronze in the two sides 3rd and 4th place playoff match at the CHAN tournament in Abidjan this evening.
It was a much improved performance by Zambia against Senegal following that 0-0 draw in the two sides first CHAN meeting in a Group A match played on February 25 at the same venue.
Star of the show on the day was Power Dynamos midfielder Kennedy Mudenda whose sparkling display was the catalyst of Zambia’s drive with an eye on the bronze on Saturday.
However, Senegal withered the early charge from Zambia and took the lead in the 22nd minute through Omar Sow who raced through the oppositions defence to crash in the ball past Zesco United goalkeeper Jacob Banda who was making his CHAN debut on the day.
Banda’s club mate Jonas Sakuwaha had a chance to level matters midway through the game after he ghosted in behind a Senegal defender only to head wide a superb far right cross from Zanaco midfielder Henry Banda.
Zambia equalized just after the restart through second half substitute Simon Bwalya of Power in the 48th minute after finishing off a Given Simguluma rebound.
Seven minutes later live-wire Mudenda raced down the middle towards the edge of the box to let-rip a sublime strike that miraculously came off the left post.
Lusaka Dynamos midfielder William Njobvu too tested Senegal with another long effort of his own in the 58th minute.
16 minutes from time, Singuluma rounded a defender after a cheeky layoff from Sakuwaha to score his 5th CHAN tournament goal and to put him as firm favorite for the golden boot award after the final match against Ghana and DR Congo at the same venue on Sunday.