CHAN 2018 - Namibia 1-1 Zambia - As it happened

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Jan 22, 2018. 22:49

Welcome to as-it-happened coverage of the 2018 African Nations Championship Group B match between Namibia and Zambia from Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca.

Commentary:
All times CAT

90+4' - Full time - It ends in a 1-1 draw and Zambia top Group B on goal difference ahead of Namibia. Chipolopolo will face Sudan in the quarterfinals, while the Brave Warriors will battle hosts Morocco.

90+2' - Yellow card - Mbewe into the box for a naughty tackle on Limbondi.

90' - There will be three minutes of added time.

85' - Substitution - Fredericks makes way for Roger Katjiteo in another change for the Brave Warriors.

83' - Ngaruka with a superb challenge on Samu to snuff out another threatening moment from Zambia.

77' - A desperate scramble in the Zambian box as Nekundi threatens to put Namibia back in front, but Chipolopolo do just about enough to clear the danger.

73' - Substitution - Kambole makes way for Larry Bwalya in Zambia's final change.

71' - Another great chance missed by Kambole! A flicked-on corner finds the striker unmarked, but he puts his header wide of the target!

70' - Twenty minutes of regulation time remaining, can one of these teams take control before the final whistle?

65' - Substitution - Mtonga makes way for Jackson Chirwa.

61' - Past the hour mark, Zambia are coming on strong now but not quite able to find another opening in Namibia's resilient defence.

57' - Substitution - Petrus Shitembi replaces Theophilus in Namibia's first change.

56' - Yellow card - Mtonga booked for tripping up Fredericks in midfield.

50' - Nsabata with a fantastic sharp save to deny Theophilus, who got on the end of a low cross form the right and turned it goalwards!

49' - Substitution - Zambia's Friday Samu replaces Katiba in attack.

46' - Back underway in the second half, no changes from either team at the break.

45+1' - Half time - It's 1-1 at the break, with Zambia fighting back after Namibia's early goal. As things stand, it's Chipolopolo who will top the group and avoid hosts Morocco in the quarterfinals.

41' - Katiba finds some space in the penalty area, but his powerful effort from a tight angle flashes across the face of goal.

39' - Silwimba has taken a knock to the right shin, but he should be okay to carry on.

32' - Well past the half hour mark, Zambia's equaliser means they will top the group as things stand.

28' - Kambole with a great chance to fire home his second on the volley, but Lombard does well to get his body in the way and put the striker off.

24' - GOAL! Namibia 1-1 Zambia - Zambia back on level terms, with Kambole finishing off Mbewe's pull-back from the by-line to make it 1-1!

23' - Up to the midway point of the first half, still Namibia in control at 1-0 up.

18' - Chipolopolo looking for a way back into the game, but nothing of note in attack just yet.

12' - GOAL! Namibia 1-0 Zambia - A goal from nowhere for Namibia, as Limbondi's free kick appears to pass through the penalty area untouched before bouncing into the top corner!

8' - And now Zambia spurn a great chance, as Mbewe's cross from the right takes the goalkeeper out of play and finds the head of Mtonga, but he heads over an open goal!

7' - Namibia open up Zambia's defence with a swift move, but Keimuine blows a great chance by looking for a square pass rather than shooting on goal!

5' - Little to report in the early minutes, the two teams are still looking to find their feet in the match.

1' - Kick-off - We are underway in Casablanca, with Namibia in all-red and Zambia in green and white.

20h50 - The referee for this match is Louis Hakizimana from Rwanda. The other Group B match between Uganda and Ivory Coast - which is a battle to avoid the wooden spoon - will be played simultaneously in Marrakech.

20h40 - No major pressure for either side in this game, as both have already secured qualification for the quarterfinals. It's simply a matter of seeing who finishes top of the standings and avoids facing hosts Morocco in the last eight.

As things stand, Zambia need only a draw to secure first place and book a showdown with Sudan. Namibia must win the game to avoid facing the Atlas Lions.

20h30 - Here are the starting line-ups 30 minutes ahead of kick-off:

Namibia: 1. Lloyd Kazapua, 18. Vitapi Ngaruka, 2. Teberius Lombard, 13. Emilio Martin, 15. Benyamen Nenkavu, 17. Itamunua Keimuine, 8. Dynamo Fredericks, 12. Ronald Ketjijere, 11. Absalom Limbondi, 22. Panduleni Nekundi, 7. Nandjebo Theophilus

Zambia: 18. Toaster Nsabata, 6. Simon Silwimba, 4. Adrian Chama, 19. Ziyo Tembo, 20. Fackson Kapumbu, 15. Donashano Malama, 16. Kondwani Mtonga, 7. Ernest Mbewe, 17. Augustine Mulenga, 11. Mika Katiba, 5. Lazarous Kambole CLICK HERE TO VISIT AFRICAN FOOTBALL ZAMBIA