ZAMBIA kicked off the quest for a berth at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals here yesterday with a hard-fought draw against Botswana.
The Chipolopolo developmental squad will now need to beat the Zebras this weekend at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola to advance to the final round of qualifiers.
In this CHAN first round first leg played some 50 kilometres outside Gaborone, a 10-man Zambia squad, fresh from winning the 2013 COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup, shocked the local fans on 78 minutes when Festus Mbewe gave the visitors the lead against the run of play.
Mbewe pounced on a poor defensive pass by Botswana skipper, Mompati Thuma to press home at the far post, sending a sizable Zambian fans into jubilation.
However, the Chipolopolo developmental squad could not sustain the lead which only lasted for four minutes as Lemponye Tshireletso cracked home an equaliser from a set piece on the edge of the box.
Namibian referee, Reynod Shikongo awarded the Zebras a free-kick on the edge on the box after Tebogo Sembowa was fouled and Tshireletso took advantage of a poorly arranged Zambian human wall, beating goalkeeper, Danny Munyau with a hard low shot at the far post.
Zambia were reduced to 10 men on 56 minutes when Alex Ng'onga was sent off for a second bookable offence by Shikongo.
Despite playing a man down, Zambia managed to fend off fierce Botswana attacks and ensured the hosts did not land decent shots on target.
On 60 minutes Jimmy Chisenga balooned his effort after a neat exchange of passes, while Tshireletso also blasted high seven minutes later for Botswana.
Coach Herve Renard made some timely tactical changes, resting Sydney Kalume for Misheck Chaila and playmaker Mukuka Mulenga, who failed to live-up to his top billing, went out for Kabaso Chongo.
The changes helped to change the complexion of the match, forcing Botswana to make numerous mistakes.
After a cagey start to this match, Zambia finally switched into gear, winning set-pieces in good positions but Fackson Kapumbu and Alex Ng'onga saw their shots saved by Botswana goalkeeper, Michael Pepukani.
Despite dictating play, Zambia's top men Bornwell Mwape and Festus Mbewe failed to control most balls served for them.
On 16 minutes, Ng'onga's well taken free-kick flashed over the bar after Mukuka Mulenga was trippthereed outside the box.
Sembowa, who shook off the groin injury, was a constant menace to the Zambian rearguard but it was the Chipolopolo who almost grabbed the lead at the nick of half time when Moses Phiri, first half replacement for Mwape, saw his cracking shot saved by the goalkeeper after he fended off his two markers.
After the match, Renard saluted his charges, saying they showed a lot of good fighting spirit despite being a man down on a difficult artificial turf.
Renard described the draw as a good result especially that the team managed to score away from home.
He however said the team made a big tactical mistake by allowing the Zebras score an easy goal.
Botswana coach, Stanley Tsoshane said the Zebras did their home work well by managing to make it difficult to the COSAFA champions to play.
Tsoshane said without undermining the Zambians' approach, he believed the Chipolopolo were yet to recover fully after three grueling matches at the COSAFA Cup.
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