Angola edged past Zambia with a hard-fought 2-1 victory in a match that saw late drama and moments of individual brilliance.
The opening half was characterised by a cautious approach from both teams, with opportunities limited as they felt each other out. Zambia showed moments of promise, with Jackson Kampamba and Charles Zulu attempting to break through Angola’s defensive line, but their efforts lacked the necessary precision.
Angola responded with their own attacks, but the Zambian defence, marshalled by Benedict Chepeshi, held firm. With both sides unable to convert their chances, the first half ended goalless.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 73rd minute, when Dominic Chanda scored for Zambia with a close-range left-footed shot, putting them 1-0 up. The goal ignited the crowd, and Zambia looked to extend their lead.
However, Angola quickly regrouped, and in the 79th minute, Kaporal struck back, levelling the match at 1-1 with a well-placed shot from the centre of the box, assisted by Gogoró.
As the match entered its final stages, Zambia struggled to regain their composure. In the 86th minute, Kaporal turned from scorer to a game-winner, netting his second goal from close range, giving Angola a 2-1 advantage.
Despite a valiant effort from Zambia, including several missed chances in the dying minutes, they could not find an equaliser. The match concluded with a final score of Zambia 1, Angola 2.
Zambia’s coach expressed disappointment over missed chances and emphasised the need for improvement in finishing. Angola’s coach praised his team’s resilience and ability to turn the game around after going a goal down.
This match highlighted Angola’s determination and tactical ability to seize opportunities under pressure. Zambia, while showing flashes of talent, will need to refine their finishing to convert chances into points in future matches.
