Angola staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat Zambia 2-1 in their African Nations Championship Group A clash at Nyayo National Stadium, keeping their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals alive.
The Palancas Negras started brightly, with Anderson Cruz almost putting them ahead inside the opening five minutes, only to be denied by goalkeeper Francis Mwansa. Pedro Nanjeua’s pace caused Zambia early problems, while Bernabe Tomas wasted two good opportunities midway through the first half, firing both over the bar.
Angola kept pressing, with Miguel Vieira testing Mwansa from long range after a clever set-piece routine in the 35th minute, but the Zambian shot-stopper was equal to the effort. Zambia’s best moment of the first half came on the counter through Evans Kangwa, but his heavy touch allowed the Angolan defence to recover. The sides went into the break goalless, despite Angola enjoying the lion’s share of possession.
The second half began with Zambia showing more intent. Kelvin Kampamba found space to unleash a shot eight minutes after the restart, forcing Adilson Da Cruz Cipriano into a save. Sensing the need for more attacking thrust, Zambia made a double substitution in the 65th minute, introducing Rally Bwalya for Charles Zulu and Willard Mwanza for Kelvin Kapumbu.
Their adjustments paid off in the 73rd minute when Dominic Chanda opened the scoring with a precise finish following a well-worked free-kick. The goal stunned Angola, but they responded quickly. Just six minutes later, second-half substitute Kaporal equalised with a composed strike inside the box, capitalising on a defensive lapse from Zambia.
With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Angola pushed forward in search of a winner. Their persistence was rewarded in the 89th minute when Kaporal struck again, completing his brace and sealing all three points for the Palancas Negras. The late drama not only revived Angola’s campaign but also left Zambia’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
Lineups:
- Zambia: Francis Mwansa, Benedict Chepeshi, Killian Kanguluma, Owen Tembo, Kelvin Mbanga Kampamba, Charles Zulu, Wilson Sohko Chisala, Dominic Chanda, Evans Kangwa, Kelvin Kampamba, John Chishimba.
- Angola: Adilson Da Cruz Cipriano, Antonio Da Silva Chitanghossi, Alberto Adão Campos Miguel, Joaquim Marcos Cunha Balanga, Miguel Vieira, Afonso Marques, Victor Pedro Nanjeua, Jairo Jo Cristovao Paciencia, Edmil Macos Melo Afonso, Bernabe Tomas, Anderson Cruz.
