Chambeshi salutes efficient Chipolopolo

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Sep 04, 2021. 12:00

Chipolopolo coach Beston Chambeshi has saluted his charges for an efficient display after grabbing a crucial away victory over Mauritania on Friday to start their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B qualifiers on a high.

Zambia stunned hosts Mauritania 2-1 in Nouakchott to make a commanding start in Group B at number two.

“It is a good away win and you know these are World Cup qualifiers so if you pick points away from home, it sounds good,” Chambeshi said.

“It is good for the boys and the technical staff but I think it wasn’t an easy game, Mauritania came out, they played a good game but we were on top especially in the first half.”

Chipolopolo took the 1-0 first half lead through captain Enock Mwepu who poked -in the ball in the 10th minute in a first half that the visitors dominated.

“It was good for us to have a goal in the first half and I think that goal lifted the team. It was a good reaction from the boys especially the first half,” Chambeshi said.

Prince Mumba added Zambia’s final goal in the 57th minute with the easiest of finishes when the unmarked Kabwe Warriors midfielder raced into the box to meet the ball rolled into his path by Lubambo Musonda from left side of the box.

“We liked the approach from the boys who took charge of the game and they contained Mauritania,” Chambeshi added.

But Mauritania sneaked in a consolation goal in the 69th minute through substitute Mamadou Niass in a last 25 minutes that the hosts threw everything at a resolute Chipolopolo.

Chipolopolo’s victory has set-up an early top-two Group B showdown against Tunisia at home on September 7 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Tunisia lead Group B on goal difference after they dispatched Equatorial Guinea to a 3-0 home win in Rades in Friday night’s late kickoff.