Zambia wallop Somalia, Tanzania edge Burundi in Cecafa

05/12/2013

Every year, the Somali national team always emerges as one of the worst performers during the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup

Two goals apiece from Bornwell Mwape and Festus Mbewe earned Zambia an emphatic 4-0 win over Somalia to send the Cosafa Cup champions into the Cecafa Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

The strike duo linked up effectively to score two quick goals in the second and fourth minutes to stun the Somali side at the Nakuru’s Afraha stadium.

A blunder by the Somalia keeper Mohammed Sherif gifted Zambia the two opening goals. Nchanga Rangers star Mwape latched on to a low cross from Felix Katongo after Sherif had fumbled the ball.

A fine first touch by Mbewe two minutes later put the former African champions in the driving seat for a comprehensive win.

Somalia briefly threatened to fight back but Mohammed Hussein squandered a good chance when he shot wide from close range.

However Zambia piled on the pressure and extended their lead in the 56th minute before Mbewe, who missed numerous chances, completed the rout in the 70th minute.

Zambia top Group B with seven points, but have a better goal difference over rivals Tanzania who beat Burundi 1-0 to finish on the same number of points.

Mbwana Samata headed home the winner in the seventh minute in his first match for the ‘Kilimanjaro Stars’.

The quarter-final places will be decided on Thursday when Group C co-leaders, Sudan and Uganda go head-to-head to decide the winner.

Winless Rwanda have a chance to grab one of the best three positions if they manage to beat Eritrea convincingly in the second match.