Chipolopolo book AFCON place

Chipolopolo Boys celebrate after scoring

Zambia have secured their passage to the 2015 African Cup of Nations finals with a 1-0 victory over Mozambique courtesy of a Given singuluma strike, reports Zambian Eye sports corespondent.

And Cape Verde ensured qualification as group leaders after beating Niger 3-1 on Saturday to claim top place.

The win in Maputo was Zambia first away win and second successive in the qualifiers after a difficult start that saw them staring at the prospect of missing out on the 2015 tournament after picking up two points in their first three games.

Zambia were on the back-foot for most of the first half as Mozambique dominated led by Elias Pelembe who had a 9th minute shot saved by his Mamelodi Sundowns club mate Kennedy Mweene.

Zambia’s best chance of the first half came in the 31st minute when defender Christopher Munthali header off a Rainford Kalaba cross was saved by Ricardo Campos.

Mozambique striker Maninho then missed a glorious opportunity to give the Mamba’s a 1-0 halftime lead when he failed to connect with Josemar’s cross in the 42nd minute.

Zambia then survived an injustice after Mozambique won a dubious penalty in the 58th minute when Emmanuel Mbola’s clearance with his feet was adjudged to be a handball.

Mweene, though, saved the resultant penalty taken by Pelembe.

Zambia recovered from that episode to seal the win in the 66th minute through striker Given Singuluma who volleyed in from close range after some good work by Kalaba.

Chipolopolo move to 8 points, four behind leaders Cape Verde who beat bottom placed Niger in the late Group F kickoff on Saturday night while Mozambique stay third on 5 points.

Zambia face Cape Verde on Wednesday in Ndola.