‘KEMUKA’ PROPEL CHIPOLOPOLO TO COSAFA FINALS

A brace from Kelvin Kampamba ensured that Zambia overcame a resilient and talented young Senegalese side in a 4-3 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup semifinal match played at the Moses Mabhida stadium.

The ZESCO United attacking midfielder tore through the Senegalese defense before unleashing a powerful shot that ended up at the back of the net to give the Chipolopolo Boys a crucial lead.

Zambia’s 18’ minute lead only lasted 5’ minutes with Senegal getting a deserved equalizer through Lamine Camara.

Camara’s equalizer couldn’t silence the five-times Cosafa Champions for too long with ZESCO United attacking midfielder, Spencer Sautu finding the back of the next in the 36’ minute to restore Zambia’s lead.

Chipolopolo Head Coach Aijosa Asanovic’s side went into the halftime with their tales up following a thrilling first half of exciting football.

Aware of Senegal’s ability to create goalscoring opportunities, Zambia started the second half aiming to stretch the lead beyond the Teranga Lions reach.

Kampamba was at the centre of Zambia’s attack with his slalom moves proving too mouthful for the Senegalese to contain.

In the 58’minute Kampamba unlocked a powerful shot just inches outside the Senegalese penalty box which Faty spilled into the path of Ricky Banda who tapped in at close range.

Banda’s goal stunned the Senegalese who until then had proved a powerful competitor for the Chipolopolo Boys.

Kampamba collected his brace in the 68’ minute after a spirited run into the Senegalese penalty box before unlocking a powerful shot that shook the roof of the net to stretch the score line to 4-1.

With everything pointing towards an exciting COSAFA final against Namibia, Zambia almost blew their lead after Jean Diouf scored a 73’ minute goal to give the Senegalese some lifeline.

Diouf’s goal motivated the Senegalese to charge forward in search of a possible equalizer.

Moussa Ndiaye’s 90’ minute long range shot ended up at the back of the net with Chipolopolo and ZESCO United goalkeeper Cyril Chibwe completely beaten.

Zambia held on to their 4-3 lead to book a place in this year’s HOLLYWOODBETS Cosafa finals.

Author: Desmond Katongo