Zambia Secures Quarter-Final Spot at CHAN 2016 After Narrow Win Over Uganda
Zambia booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2016 African Nations Championship with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uganda on Saturday in Group D. The result ensured the Chipolopolo progressed before the final group match, fulfilling their minimum target of reaching the second round.
Coach George Lwandamina praised his team’s determination and resilience. “We came here to get through the first round. We did it,” he said following the match. He added that the victory was far from easy. “Today’s win was hard to come by. We faced sustained attacks from the Ugandans, but we managed to neutralize them. I believe this match taught us a lot, and it will be useful for our preparation for the quarter-finals.”
The decisive goal came at a crucial moment, allowing Zambia to control the remainder of the match and maintain their clean sheet. This victory marked the Chipolopolo’s second consecutive win in the group, following their 1-0 success against Zimbabwe on the opening day.
With two wins from two matches, Zambia leads Group D alongside Mali, who also secured a 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe on Saturday. Uganda and Zimbabwe now face an uphill battle to advance, with Zimbabwe already eliminated after consecutive losses.
Lwandamina’s side will now focus on preparing for the quarter-finals, confident that their disciplined approach and defensive stability can serve them well in the knockout stages. Zambia’s early qualification underscores their status as strong contenders in this year’s CHAN tournament, reflecting the progress of the team under the guidance of Lwandamina.
