Cape Verde continued to command Group F in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a giant-killing 2-1 home win over Zambia in Praia on Wednesday.
The Blue Sharks are on a maximum on six points from two games as they chase their second successive Africa Cup outing.
Zambia on the other hand slumped to third of Group F on one point and arrived for the match less than twelve hours before the game after flight problems with their charter flight from Ndola.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde were all over Zambia in the first half with Fortes terrorising the visitors’ backline but his chances in the 16th and 18th minutes went begging.
Zambia interrupted Cape Verde surge in the 31st minute when striker Jacob Mulenga laid the ball off for Chisamba Lungu in the 31st minute but the midfielder shot was saved by Vizinha.
One minute later, Cape Verde took the lead when Nivaldo rolled ball into Ze Luis path who made no mistake to score his second goal in the qualifiers after netting in last Saturday’s 3-1 away win over Niger.
Ze Luis came close to doubling his tally in the 35th minute but Chisamba and Mbola were on guard the near post to deny him a brace.
Rainford Kalaba the had the ball at the back of the net off a Kabaso Chongo cross but the goal was cancelled for offside.
Mulenga gave Zambia some hope with an equaliser when he scrambled in ball across the line after Kalaba threaded the ball into the Zambia striker’s path.
The visitors came close to taking the lead in the 58th minute when Christopher Katongo’s rampaging run into the box was halted by Nivaldo who acted quickly to clear the ball for corner on the near post.
Cape Verde restored their lead in the 75th minute when Ryan Mendes fired in the second goal after a sweeping moving involving Campos.
The Blue Sharks now enjoy a two point lead in Group F ahead of Mozambique on two points who host Cape Verde in Maputo on October 10.
Zambia are third on one point tied with Niger who host Chipolopolo next month in Niamey.
Mozambique held Niger to 1 – 1 draw at home on Wednesday.
Courtesy of Supersport
We have to upgrade our game takitcs & change the association term.We can do it Gays,Go Zambia Gooooooooooo…!
The guys were really tired as was seen by Zunzu who was gnashing his teeth. The jet lag cost us victory.
This is the problem for the government, the boys yes there were tired and no rest, but also the coach Honour Janza has not done anything why did he live nkausu, these guys at the defence they know each other stopila, nkausu, HH and joseph musonda not these new players which he introduced like kabaso chongo. An other thing is he should combine with young players just take a risk of combining with fresh blood like the coach for south Africa the way he did look at t hem they are playing nicely no likes shabalala, Nkune and others.