Unlucky Zambia held to draw

Zambia failed to capitalise on Group D rival Cameroo’s shock defeat to Gabon as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in Lubango.
The Copper Bullets will be very disappointed not to have taken all 3 points from a game they dominated for very long spells and seeing a late headed goal from Emmanuel Mayuka ruled out for offside.
Herve Renard’s men had made a fine start to the game with the very impressive Rainford Kalaba hitting the side netting with his effort, as Tunisia looked out of sorts and a pale shadow of the side who for a long time had been a dominant force of African football.
Zambia took the lead on 19 minutes after a pass from Chamanga found its way to Jacob Mulenga who in turn hit a weak shot at goal and surprisingly it squirmed under goalkeeper Mathlouthi’s body and into the net to send his sides supporters into ecstacy.

Kalaba again went close in the 32nd minute to extending his sides lead only to see his finr shot blocked. It was only a matter of time Zambia scored their 2nd goal as they looked like scoring everytime they attacked, but against the run of play Tunisia had equalised on 40 minutes when Souheil Dhaouadi smashed the ball into the roof of the net after a fine cross from Mskani.
Tunisia started the 2nd half the stronger side, but Zambia came back into the game with Kampamba Chuntu missing a guilt edged chance when heading wide when in front of goal, whilst Chamanga up front was proving to be a constant threat.
In the 69th minute, Kalaba should have put Zambia ahead when he rose like a salmon to meet a perfect cross from Chris Katongo only to direct his header into the ground when it was easier to score.
Zambia attacked at full throttle for the last 10 minutes as Mulenga fired in a shot which hit the side netting, before Mayuka thought he had won his side the match with his 1st touch, but his joy was shortlived as his effort was ruled out by the referee for offside.
This may have been a good point for Renard’s men but after a promising performance like that, they might look back at the game and say it was 2 points lost rather than 1 point gained. Sundays match against Cameroon is massive for both sides as a win foir Zambia will almost certainly see them through to the quarter finals.

Team Line-Ups
Zambia Tunisia
16. K Mweene 16. A Mathlouthi
4. J Musonda 3. K Haqqui
6 E Mbola 18. Y Mikari
19. T Nyirenda 5. A Jemal
10. F Katongo 2. K Souissi
17. R Kalaba 6. H Raqued
15. K Chuntu 10. O Darragi
13. S Sunzu 15. S Dhaouadi
7. J Mulenga 8. K Korbi
12. J Chamanga 9. A Chermiti
11. C Katongo 19. Y Mskani

Substitutes
21. E Mayuka (for 12) 17. I Jemma (for 10)
7. CB Saada (for 9)

Yellow/Red Cards
3. K Haqqui (Yellow-74mins)

Referee : K Coulibaly

Attendance : 17000