SUNDAY, March 19, 2000
A WASTEFUL Nchanga Rangers yesterday opened their Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup campaign with an unconvincing win over DSA of Madagascar.
Rangers, who despite creating opportunities to score at least five goals in the game played in Chingola, only hit target once, and that was before DSA could settle down.
Rangers were in control of the game as early as the 4th minute when Sileni Phiri's bicycle-kick- resulting from a goal mouth melee could not be stopped by the Madagascar international goalkeeper Bota.
After the goal, DSA mobilised themselves, packing seven players in defence to thwart all Rangers attacks led by the aggressive but toothless Harry Milanzi.
The only time DSA seriously threatened Rangers was in 22nd minute when Sonne's shot was brilliantly parried away by Rangers goalkeeper Evans Chewe.
Chewe was virtually a spectator in the second half where Rangers did not miss international centre back Elijah Tana, serving a ban for his red card, and the seemingly unfit Laughter Chilembi did not have to work very hard.
In 47th minute, midfield playmaker Ronald Mbambala returning from an injury could only balloon his shot after the DSA goalkeeper fumbled with the ball in the box.
With DSA keeper Bota beaten in 60th minute, skipper Milanzi's header was an inch too high after a pass from midfielder Kelvin Mwanza.
Linos Chalwe, who had come in for inexperienced Ignatius Mukota, rocketed a sublime long range 66th minute free-kick parried away for a corner by the alert DSA goalie.
The game Ð which saw three DSA players cautioned Ð ended with Mwanza's header off an 89th minute Chilembi corner hitting the woodwork.
Coach Fordson Kabole, whose team travel to Madagascar in two weeks' time for the second leg, said Rangers struggled with coordination as most of his players were coming from injuries.
"We might have missed chances here, but football being a funny game, we might just score in Madagascar," Kabole said.
DSA coach Haja, commended Rangers but with God's help his team will easily wipe up the Rangers lead.
| Front Page | Rural News | Home News | Features | Business | Sports |
Return to the Zambian National WWW Server.