Sakala winner keeps Zambia's World Cup hopes alive

Zambia still have a shot at making the playoffs for the 2026 World Cup after they beat Tanzania 1-0  at the Amaan Stadium on Wednesday, October 8.

Fashion Sakala’s second-half goal proved the difference in Zanzibar City as Avram Grant’s side closed within one point of the Taifa Stars in Group E ahead of their deciding clash against second-placed Niger on Sunday.

Both teams had lost their previous game in qualifying, with Zambia going down 2-0 to Morocco last month while Tanzania slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Niger.

The first half was a cagey affair and the possession was fairly even, but there were very few clear-cut chances as Tresford Mulenga remained largely untroubled in the opening 45 minutes.

Mulenga watched the ball sail over his crossbar on the quarter-hour mark after the hosts attempted a shot from range and Feisal Salum failed to hit the target 10 minutes later after trying his luck from distance following a counterattack.

The Copper Bullets came closest to breaking the deadlock just before half-time when Kelvin Kampamba forced Yakoub Suleiman into a superb save with a shot in the second minute of added time.

Zambia showed greater attacking intent in the second half and Suleiman was called into action again on 58 minutes to keep out a free-kick from Kings Kangwa before Sakala saw his miscued cross came back off the bar in the 70th minute.

Mulenga was finally tested three minutes later as he pulled off a smart save to deny Lusajo Mwaikenda, who managed to get off a shot inside the box, but the breakthrough came at the other end shortly afterwards.

Sakala timed his run to perfection inside the area as he got on the end of Lubambo Musonda’a low cross to steer the ball into the back of the net.

Tanzania pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages without success as Chipolopolo held on for a precious victory.

Tanzania (0) 0

Zambia (0) 1 (F. Sakala 75′)

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