AIRMEN CRASH OUT

…as Simba make Confed Cup group stage

ZAMBIA’senvoys in the CAF Confedera tions Cup Red Arrows crashed out of the continental championship despite having record a 2-1 home win in a pre-group stage second leg fixture at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

The Airmen who were hu miliated 3-0 in the first leg played in Tanzania a week ago failed to score four answered goals which would have pro pelled them to the group stag es before crashing out with a 4-2 aggregate defeat.

Arrows had begun the re turn leg fixture on a positive not but it was the visitors who had the first dangerous oppor tunity to break the deadlock 10 minutes into the first half but Chipolopolo midfielder Larry Bwalya sent his effort over the bar.

Arrows replied with Edward Tembo tryng his luck with a shot which went over the bar from outside the 18-yard box.

The Zambian envoys looked more dangerous upfront and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute after a good run from Alasan Diarra who sent his effort high.

Joseph Phiri had a chance to put Arrows ahead in the 23rd minute but saw his head er going over the bar after he was setup with a perfect cross from Felix Bulaya.

Arrows could have been punished on the half hour mark when striker Hasan Ilun ga went past a defender but failed to find the back of the net.

Striker Rick Banda hit the upright with a thunderous header four minutes before the break as Arrows dominat ed play.

After a number of attempts Arrows finally went ahead through Banda who convert ed from close range in the last minute of the first half.

Arrows who were 2-0 up with two minutes into the second half through Saddam Yusuf dropped their guard and allowed Simba to pull one goal back through Hasan Dilun ga who ended their hopes of reaching the group stage with a fine finish in the 67th minute

Dilunga’s goal meant that Arrows needed to score three more goals, a task which proved to be impossible as the game ended 2-1 with Simba progressing with a 4-2 aggre gate win.