Zambia hammer Algeria
A BRACE from Brian Mwila and a goal by Enock Mwepu ensured Zambia bagged a 3-1 win over Algeria in their 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers Group B match at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.
In the wake of the victory, Zambia now occupy second spot in the group with four points from one win, one draw and a single loss, and will hope to complete the job in Constantine tomorrow.
On the other hand, Yacine Brahimi netted the only goal for the visitors as they remain rooted at the bottom of the group with one point from two losses and a draw so far.
Coach Wedson Nyirenda’s charges started the encounter on a high in the opening five minutes as they probed for an early goal, but Mwila’s header hit the upright with goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi beaten.
However, two minutes later Mwila scored for the hosts. The striker received a telling cross on the right flank from Augustine Mulenga and the forward could not be denied for the second time.
In the 15th minute, a misunderstanding between goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene and his defence allowed a corner for the visitors, but defender Faouzi Ghoulam’s attempted header sailed wide.
Zambia allowed the Algerians more time on the ball and Saphir Taider was set free to unleash a powerful shot away from the penalty area, yet the strike sailed straight to Mweene, who collected with ease in the 21st minute.
In the 33rd minute, Mwila completed his brace after receiving a wonderful cross from Mulenga down the left flank as he cut through the Algerian defence, allowing the Platinum Stars man to easily finish from close range.
It was 2-0 at the interval favour of Nyirenda’s troops.
Upon their return from the tunnel, a glorious opportunity was missed by the Algerians as Hillal Soudani misjudged the bounce of the ball with only Mweene to beat after a cross on the right.
However, Brahimi made it 2-1 after pulling a powerful shot right on the d-line to beat Mweene on his right post.
In the 56th minute, Fashion Sakala was handed his marching orders after a dangerous foul and left his teammates down a man.
The final five minutes of the match saw Lucas Alcaraz’s troops pushing for an equaliser and Mweene was nearly beaten on his far post by a powerful shot through substitute Idriss Saadi, but it sailed wide of the far post.
With one minute to go to fulltime, Mwepu netted the killer goal as he unleashed a powerful low shot to beat M’Bolhi on his far post, making it 3-1 for Nyirenda’s men at fulltime. — SuperSport.com in