Chipolopolo miss out on second successive Africa Cup appearance

2012 African champions Zambia failed to qualify for the Afcon finals for the second edition running after losing 1-0 away to Mozambique on Sunday afternoon.

A second half strike by Reginaldo Faife dashed Zambia’s hopes of an appearance in Cameroon next year as they remain rooted to the bottom of Group K on four points.

The Chipolopolo went into the match knowing anything less than three points would condemn them to a second consecutive absence from the tournament they won just six years ago.

However, Sven Vandenbroek’s never looked like winning, putting in a disjointed first half performance in which their only threat on the Mambas goal came in fortuitous circumstances when Simon Silwimba’s intended cross nearly crept under the bar and into the net but for the timely intervention of goalkeeper Leonel Pendula.

Zambia failed to improve in the second half and were duly punished when Faife struck in the 63rd minute after the visiting defense had failed to clear their lines.

The goal forced Vandenbroek into a double substitution four minutes later, throwing in Rainford Kalaba and Cletus Chama for Augustine Mulenga and Emmanuel Banda.

The changes breathed some life into the Chipolopolo’s play but the home side saw out the remainder of the match in relative comfort to complete a historic double over their more illustrious neighbours.

Mozambique must now win in Bissau next March to qualify. Namibia on the other hand will qualify even if they lose to Zambia provided results in Bissau go their way.