Mambas of Mozambique needed a 81st minute goal to pick up a 1-0 win over Zambia in the second leg of the 2023 African Nations Championship qualifying tie played at the National Heroes Stadium this evening.
Lau King’s easy tap made the difference when he beat Zambia goalkeeper Charles Kalumba.
Chipolopolo put the visitors under lots of pressure in the early quarter of the game, but the Mambas got the game under control with Deportivo de Quelimane’s Isaac Calvalhi showing his industriousness in the heart of the midfield.
Ricky Banda had a chance to give Zambia the lead eight minutes later with a free header at the near post that sailed over the crossbar after a cross by Kelvin Kapamba.
Mozambique were struggling to create clear chances but almost went ahead on the stroke of half-time after Shaqulle guided a free header at the back post on top of the net.
Zambia started the second stanza on the front foot and Dominic Chanda came the closest to breaking the deadlock in the 66th minute with a low strike across goal that missed the bottom corner by a whisker.
While Chipolopolo struggled to make any forays into the opposition box, Dario went close to pulling the Mambas on 70 minutes with a strike from the edge the box
Mozambique were all over for Zambia and King found the back of the net in the 81st minute with an audacious tap in after a square pass by Amadou.
Chipolopolo were camping inside Mozambique ‘s half in the latter stages, threatening to get the equaliser, as Jimmy Mukeya unleashed a rocket from a free-kick six minutes before time that was bravely punched away goalkeeper Ernan.
