Zambia surrendered a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 with Cote d’Ivoire in a friendly played to mark Zambia’s 50th anniversary at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday, reports Zambian Eye’s Limbikani Msamba.
The match was the first encounter for ex-Zambia coach against his former charges since leaving the Chipolopolo job in October, 2013 to coach French club Sochaux.
Cote d’Ivoire enjoyed the better chances in the first half but were wasteful with the promising striker Roger Assale a terror everytime he entered Zambia’s box.
However, Assale’s finish let him down after missing two great chances in the 14th and 27th minutes.
Cote d’Ivoire were punished four minutes before the break when striker Reynold ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba coolly finished a rebound after goalkeeper Sylvain Obohouo failed to properly clear the Nkana attackers’ initial effort.
Cote d’Ivoire equalised in the 52nd minute through Ousmane Ouattara who headed in Ba Loua D’vila’s corner after some poor positioning by goalkeeper Daniel Munyau.
Zambia then failed to put the game to bed in the 63rd minute when defender Fackson Kapumbu’s penalty was saved Obohouo.
This is after Ouattara turned from hero to villain after handling the ball in the area.