Daka double helps Zambia past Congo

Zambia ...................... 4 Congo ........................ 2

NDOLA – Zambia survived an early scare against Congo as they battled back from behind to emerge 4-2 victors in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Friday evening.

The two teams went into the half-time interval deadlocked at 2-2 after Silvere Ganvoula (13’) and Lameck Banda (43’) cancelled out early goals from Patson Daka (5’) and Mons Bassouamina (15’).

Avram Grant’s side struck the frame of the goal once in each half, but they hit the front again on 69 minutes through Fashion Sakala, before Daka sealed the win in stoppage time.

Chipolopolo moved to the top of Group E courtesy of their three points in Ndola ahead of Niger’s clash with Tanzania yesterday.

Morocco had a bye following the withdrawal of Eritrea earlier this month.

ACTION-PACKED

An action-packed first half saw the hosts get off to a flying start when Daka headed home Emmanuel Banda’s cross after just five minutes to open the scoring.

However, their lead was shortlived as Ganvoula hit back for Congo eight minutes later with a finish from inside the box before Bassouamina capitalised on a defensive lapse to beat Francis Mwansa on the quarter-hour mark, making it 2-1 to the visitors.

Zambia looked to respond and Banda was a whisker away from restoring parity with a strike that hit the underside of the crossbar on 31 minutes, but they did find a reply before halftime when the self-same player turned his marker and unleashed a shot into the back of the net in the 43rd minute.

Wolfrigon Mongondza had to be alert to keep out an effort from Daka in the 62nd minute, although there was nothing the goalkeeper could do to prevent Sakala from scoring seven minutes later after being picked out inside the box by Bandam who was having a fine game.