JACOB Mulenga volleys Zambia’s first goal against Lesotho in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. Zambia won 4-0. – Picture by JEAN MANDELA.
CHISHALA MUSONDA reports:
ZAMBIA 4 LESOTHO 0
ZAMBIA yesterday romped to a convincing win over Lesotho to reclaim top slot in the Group D of the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 qualifier played in Ndola.
Jacob Mulenga bagged a brace while Collins Mbesuma and captain Christopher Katongo got a goal each as Zambia crushed the Crocodiles before an estimated 35,000 crowd at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium to leapfrog Ghana, who had taken charge of the group 24 hours earlier.
Zambia move to 10 points, one ahead of the Black Stars, who beat Sudan 3-1 in Omdurman on Friday and now it is the two nations in contention for qualification for the next stage of the World Cup competition qualifiers.
Lesotho, who are on two points and Sudan on one, have been knocked out of the race.
Needing to win the game to maintain the top position in the group, Zambia started slowly and failed to break the Sothos, who showed determination when they moved forward in the early stages of the game.
Both sides were cagey in the opening 10 minutes with Zambia failing to find a clear-cut chance apart from Mulenga’s physical challenges while Mbesuma showed flashes of his skill on the left side of attack.
Teenager Mukuka Mulenga held firm in the midfield as he distributed the ball perfectly on his debut start for Zambia.
With time fast ticking out, Zambia appeared anxious to get an early goal as they struggled to find the right combination while Lesotho grew in confidence and on 18 minutes, Katongo made a solo effort at goal which went high.
Lesotho fought back and on 20 minutes Litsepe Marare forced a brave save from Zambia goalie on the day Danny Munyao, who parried a curling free-kick but was caught off guard a minute later when Nkau Lerotholi headed wide.
Again Munyao was called into service when he stopped a Tsepo cross in the box in the 25th minute. At the other end in the 29th minute, Mbesuma sent wide a Noah Chivuta cross.
Zambia earned the first corner in the 31st minute which was well-delivered by Chivuta but Mbesuma headed back across goal before the ball was cleared to safety by the Sotho. In the next wave of attack, Mulenga struck.
On 36 minutes, Katongo picked up the unmarked Mulenga in the box who controlled the ball well before his bicycle kick gave no chance to Lesotho goalie Mohau Kuenane as Zambia went ahead.
The goal drew loud celebration in the stadium with the Chipolopolo anthem sounding and two minutes later, Mulenga was unlucky to watch his header go high. Zambia went to the break leading by a goal and on return, the Chipolopolo continued to dominate and on 51 minutes good goalkeeping by Kuenane prevented Mulenga from getting his second goal. Marabe’s attempt from half way the field went wide on 55 minutes.
Coach Herve Renard made his first substitution in the 57th minute, bringing in in Fwayo Tembo for Chivuta and it was not long that his combination with Chisamba Lungu on the left produced another goal.
After interchanging passes with Fwayo on the right, Chisamba, playing as left back, raced forward and sent a pin-point cross to Katongo in the box and his thumping header on 61 minutes gave Zambia a 2-0 lead.
Before Lesotho realised what had hit them, Mulenga was found in the right position and he blasted in from close range.
Enjoying a comfortable lead, Mulenga was rested for James Chamanga with 10 minutes on the clock.
On 83 minutes, the burly Chamanga found Mbesuma free in the centre and on a return pass the striker beat Lesotho goalie but his final effort bounced off the post. Mbesuma was well placed to finish off the rebound and put the icing on the cake.
ZAMBIA: 1-Danny Munyao (GK), 6-Davies Nkausu, 3-Chisamba Lungu, 5-Hichani Himoonde, 21-Khondwani Mtonga, 19-Nathan Sinkala, 14-Noah Chivuta (Fwayo Tembo 57”) , 11-Christopher Katongo (C), 22-Mukuka Mulenga, 7-Jacob Mulenga (James Chamanga 80”), 9-Collins Mbeusma (Bornwell Mwape 89”)
LESOTHO: Mahou Kaunane, 18-Nkau Lerotholi, 5-Moitheri Ntobo, 3-Ngoako Ngoako,15-Litsepe Marabe (17-Thulo Ranchobe 65”), 4-Motlalepula Mofolo, 2-Ralekoti Mokhahlane,10- Katleho Moleko, 20-Tsepo Lekhooana Tespo Lekhooana, 68”, Yellow
Referee: Ali Lemghaifry (Mauritania)
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