- Kundananji, Chilufya goals crush Zimbabwe, Kenya finish third
NDINAWE SIMPELWE
Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Ndola
ZIMBABWE 0 – ZAMBIA 3
STAND-IN captain Rachael Kundananji last night shook the net once while striker Prisca Chilufya netted a brace as Zambia crushed rivals Zimbabwe to win the Four Nations Tournament and get a boost ahead of next month’s Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON).
With goals eluding the Copper Queens in Saturday’s 4-1 win on post-match penalties over Kenya, the players were clinical on goal against neighbours Zimbabwe. Zambia drew 1-1 with Kenya in regulation time but prevailed on lotteries. Zambia showed intent from kick-off with striker Ochumba Lubanji shooting wide.
In the eighth minute, Chilufya made a good run on the right flank and beat two defenders and crossed the ball to Lubanji, whose header was too tame for goalkeeper Cynthia Shonga.
Zimbabwe threatened in the 15th minute when Emmaculate Msipa beat an offside trap but defender Margaret Belemu was alert to thwart the threat. Zimbabwe wasted a scoring opportunity in the 24th minute after Ethel Chinese stole the ball from Rhoda Chileshe and was through on goal but goalkeeper Hazel Nali produced a save with her leg. Zambia had a chance to take the lead after Lubanji was fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded in the 31st minute.
Kundananji stepped up and blasted the ball over the crossbar. Zambia created another scoring opportunity in the 38th minute after an exchange of passes with Rachael Nachula crossing low in the box but Chilufya arrived a second late.
Zambia’s pressure finally paid off in the 40th minute after Kundananji showed her fighting spirit when she got to a long ball, lobbed an advancing Shonga and outpaced a defender before slotting into the net. After the break, coach Nora Hauptle rested Lubanji and Nali for Fridah Mukoma and Chishala Mufunte respectively. Hauptle made more changes, introducing Margaret Gondwe for Martha Tembo while Saliya Mwanza replaced Belemu after 57 minutes.
In the 60th minute, Kundananji found Chilufya, who scored from close range. Before Zimbabwe could recover from the setback, Chilufya completed her brace after outrunning two defenders to fire from inside the box in the 64th minute.
Chilufya was also on target last Saturday in a semi-final f ixture. Zambia enjoyed possession as they cut out Zimbabwe, with substitute Mercy Chipasula’s pinpoint cross missed by Kundananji in the 75th minute. Zimbabwe responded with a brilliantly taken free kick by Msipa which bounced off the crossbar in the 80th minute.
At WAfCON, kicking off on July 25, Zambia will face champions Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi in Group C. LESOTHO 0 KENYA 6 Kenya produced a ruthless display to hammer Lesotho and secure third position. Kenya coach Beldine Odemba expressed satisfaction with the performance, saying despite not being 100 percent ready, they are set for WAfCON, where they will tackle hosts Morocco, Algeria and Senegal in Group A. “I said after the game against Zambia that we are ready. We created chances but could not score. After two days of training from the first game we scored a lot. What we need is to continue scoring and be consistent,” Odemba said. Lesotho coach Tjamela Tjamela said facing strong opposition is what they need to get exposure. “This is actually what we needed. I maintain that we came here to learn and not just for me and the players but even our FA (football association). From what I have seen from these three teams, we have to emulate how they have invested in women’s football,” Tjamela said. Kenya needed just 15 minutes to open the goals galore when Violet Nanjala f inished off a well-worked move to go ahead. Tereza Engesha doubled the advantage on 18 minutes and Omondi Fasila added the third in the 28th minute. Eglay Mukhwana got her name on the scoresheet in the 43rd minute. The second half followed a similar pattern with Kenya maintaining relentless pressure as Mukhwana grabbed her second goal in the 64th minute after capitalising on a goalkeeping error, Kenya completed the rout in the 74th minute through Catherine Mulongo.
