Ten-Man Zambia Denies Tanzania Historic Victory
In a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) encounter, ten-man Zambia fought back to secure a dramatic 1-1 draw against Tanzania, denying the Taifa Stars their first-ever victory in the tournament’s history. Patson Daka‘s 88th-minute header canceled out Simon Msuva‘s first-half strike, showcasing Zambia’s remarkable resilience.
Tanzania took the lead in the 11th minute when Simon Msuva capitalized on a defensive lapse and scored a stunning goal. Zambia faced a setback just before halftime when skipper Rodrick Kabwe received a controversial red card, putting the team at a numerical disadvantage.
Despite being a man down, Zambia, inspired by coach Avram Grant’s strategic substitutions, Clatous Chota Chama and Kennedy Musonda, refused to surrender. The turning point came in the 88th minute when Daka met Clatous Chota Chama‘s corner with a powerful header, securing the equalizer and sparking jubilation on the Zambian bench.
With the draw, Zambia and DR Congo are level on two points in Group F, while Morocco leads the group with four points. Tanzania remains at the bottom with one point. The final group stage matches in Group F promise to be thrilling, with Zambia facing Morocco in a decisive clash on January 24th, where the winner secures a place in the knockout stages.
Tanzania will take on Congo in a crucial match, and the outcome may impact the qualification chances of the other teams in the group. The AFCON Group F matches are poised for an exciting conclusion, with all four teams still in contention.
