SAKALA MAKES CHIPOLOPOLO DEBUT

ZESCO United striker, Enock Sakala yesterday made his debut for the Zambia National Team in the ongoing Hollywoodbets COASAFA Cup edition being staged in Durban, South Africa.

Sakala 20, is among the six club players who received call-ups from Chipolopolo Head Coach Aijosa Asanovic ahead of the regions most celebrated competition.

Last night Zambia cruised to the semi-finals of the tournament thanks to a 5-4 penalty shootout victory against the Zebras of Botswana.

ZESCO United shot stopper Cyril Chibwe started in goal while club attacking midfielders, Kelvin Kampamba and Spencer Sautu ,marshalled the middle of the park for the Chipolopolo Boys.

Newly signed ZESCO United defensive midfielder, Kelvin Kapumbu was charged with the responsibility of providing cover in the middle of the park while Sakala and Shemmy Mayembe started on the bench.

The Chipolopolo Boys took the lead in the 10’ minute through a Tebogo Kopelang own goal.

Zambia went into the second half with their noses up while Botswana were hoping to overturn the first half score-line.

It took the Zebras only 7’ minutes to find an equalizer through a Benson Kitso Mangolo goal to level matters.

With only 9’ minutes left on the clock before the final whistle, Chipolopolo Assistant Coach Moses Sichone decided to reshuffle his game plan by bring on Sakala and withdrawing midfielder Joshua Mutale.

Sakala, almost found the back of the net with only a 1’minute of to go but his close-range effort came off the upright leading the match straight to penalties.

Zambia clinically dispatched all her five penalties while the Zebras failed to convert their third penalty with Mangolo putting his spot kick off target.

The Chipolopolo Boys will face either Senegal or Eswatini in the semi-finals of the competition scheduled for July 15, 2022.

Author: Desmond Katongo