Nairobi, Kenya.

Angola’s Palancas Negras mounted a late comeback to claim a 2-1 win over Zambia’s Chipolopolo in a tense African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 Group A encounter at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. Both sides are familiar foes from the COSAFA region, but this meeting carried continental stakes, with vital points on offer in the race for a place in the knockout rounds.

Going into the game, the head-to-head record slightly favoured Zambia, who had won six of their 17 previous clashes, with Angola victorious on four occasions and seven meetings ending in draws. The match began at a measured pace, both teams cautious and focused on reading each other’s patterns of play.

The first real moment of note came in the 15th minute when Zambia’s Chishimba was booked for a heavy foul just outside the box. Vidinho stepped up for the free kick but sent his effort over the bar. Zambia grew into the match and enjoyed a period of possession, winning a corner in the 20th minute, although Angola’s defence stood firm.

Angola’s Mafuta twice tried his luck from distance in the 25th and 30th minutes, with the first effort deflected wide and the second narrowly missing to the right. Zambia thought they had made the breakthrough in the 35th minute when a short free kick routine saw Kampamba feed Chepeshi, whose cross found Kayombo to score. However, the celebrations were cut short as the referee ruled the goal out for handball in the build-up. Another yellow card, this time for Chisala, came in the 40th minute, and the half ended goalless after two minutes of added time.

Zambia started the second half with more urgency, Kamanga replacing Chishimba and the team pressing higher up the pitch. Angola recovered their composure and began to control possession again, though clear chances were scarce. In the 65th minute, both coaches made multiple changes in an attempt to shift the momentum.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 70th minute. From a free kick on the left, Kampamba delivered the ball into the area. Angola goalkeeper Neblú punched it away but only as far as Chanda, who slotted home from close range to put Zambia ahead.

Angola responded almost immediately. On the 75th minute, substitute Gogoró delivered a precise cross from the right which found Manha ‘Kaporal’ unmarked in the box, and he calmly finished to level the score. The Palancas Negras continued to press forward and in the 85th minute they completed the turnaround. Gogoró again created the danger, this time from the left, with his cross deflecting into the path of Manha, who powered the ball past the goalkeeper for his second goal of the match.

Zambia made late substitutions during the nine minutes of added time but could not find a way back. Angola’s defence held strong, securing three valuable points and a significant boost to their qualification chances.

The result means Kenya remain top of Group A with seven points from three matches. Angola move into second place on four points after three games. Morocco and DR Congo each have three points from two matches and are level on goal difference. Zambia stay bottom with no points from their two outings and a goal difference of minus three, leaving them on the brink of elimination.

With one round of fixtures remaining in Group A for some teams, the group remains open, but Angola’s win has put them in a strong position to push for a quarterfinal place. Zambia, on the other hand, will need a miracle in their final game to stay in the competition.