January 22, 2008 — Zambia top Group C after the first set of games, after the Chipolopolo beat Sudan 3-0 in Kumasi.

Zambia breeze past plucky Sudan

Despite a fine performance from the Nile Crocodiles, Zambia took the chances that were presented to them, with James Chamanga, Jacob Mulenga and Felix Katongo getting on the scoresheet.

Zambia now face Cameroon, beaten 4-2 by Eygpt earlier, on Saturday in a crucial game for the Indomitable Lions.

Zambia took the lead after just two minutes. After a mistake by Sudan defender Mohamed Khider,  Mulenga unleashed a beautiful backheel that took out half the Sudanese defence, and Chamanga unleashed a volley that flew past Sudan goalkeeper Elmuiz Mahgoub Abdalla.

After two speculative efforts from Zambian Player of the Year Rainford Kalaba, and a half-volley wide from Felix Katongo after good work from Chamanga, Sudan began to take a foothold in the game.

Badr Eldin Abdalla El-Doud hit the post after 12 minutes from the left channel, after a ball down the channel from Faisal Agab Sido and a good pass across goal from Haytem Kamal Tambal, then three minutes later captain Haitam Mustapha shot straight at Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.

Al-Merrikh right midfielder El-Doud was causing havoc down the right, and combined with club teammate Tambal midway through the second half, but the forward headed straight at the goalkeeper from close range.

Sudan made a substitution on 25 minutes, with Mugahid Mohamed replaced by Yousef Hado, and the Al-Hilal man immediately provided an extra outlet in the Sudan midfield.

Sudan should have equalised two minutes later, when Alaeldin Ahmed Gibril shot over the bar from only 15 yards, after Mweene had dropped a free-kick from the left from Haitham Mustapha, then saved the loose ball from El-Doud.

On 33 minutes, Agab Sido found space on the Sudan left but dragged his shot across goal and wide.

Zambia did get back into the game towards the end of the half, and were not afraid to shoot from distance, but Dube Phiri and Felix Katonga’s long-range efforts did not seriously discomfort Elmuiz.

The second half started as energetically as the first, with 37-year-old Agab Sido heading another fine cross from El-Doud downwards and towards goal, only to see his effort tipped over by Mweene.

Katongo then forced a good save low to his left from Sudan goalkeeper Elmuiz on 50 minutes, but from the resulting corner Zambia made it 2-0.

Clive Hachilensa thudded a header from Katongo’s setpiece against the cross bar, but Mulenga leapt above Hado and Gibril to head the ball past Omar Bakhit on the line.

After Mulenga had blazed over when well placed, Zambia killed the game just before the hour.

Kabala shot across goal after being fed down the right by Chamanga and although Elmuiz parried, Katongo kept the ball down well and half-volleyed the rebound past the goalkeeper.

Sudan threatened with a long-range free-kick that was beaten away by Mweene, then Hamouda Bashir shot over from close range after being set up by El-Doud.

Mulenga’s pace was a constant source of worry to the Nile Crocodiles' backline, and the Strasbourg forward forced a sharp save from Elmuez low to his right after a snapshot on 73 minutes from the right channel.

Moments later, Katongo thought he should have had a penalty after being sent sprawling in the Sudan box, whilst at the other end, El-Doud set up Alaedin Babiker on the edge of the box, but the substitute’s left foot shot was saved by Mweene.

Elmuiz made a stunning fingertip save from Mulenga's header on 85 minutes, after good recovery work from Katongo down the left, then Sudan's Babiker could have had a penalty in the last minute, only to see the referee wave play on.

It summed up their day, as they were good enough to have got something from the game, and will prove no pushover for Egypt when the two sides meet on Saturday.

Sudan: Elmuiz Abdalla 7, Bakhit 6.5, Ali Elkhidir 6.5, Eldin Ahmed Gibril 7, Lado 6.5, Karar 6.5, El Bashir 6.5 (Ali Idris Farah 80, 6.5), Bader Eldin Abdalla Eldoud *8, Ahmed 6 (Yousif Hado 24, 7.5), Kamal Tambal 6.5, Agab Sido 6.5 (Babiker 57 6).

Zambia: Mweene 7, Nketani 7, Musonda 7, Mwanza 7, Hachilensa 7.5, Bakala 7, Kalaba 8, Felix Katongo *9, Jacob Mulenga 8, Phiri 6.5 (Mayuka 70, 6.5), Chamanga 8 (Clifford Mulenga 83, 7).

(Setanta Sports)