“Eliya Mandanji doubles Zambia's lead with a close-range finish after Togo had just missed two late chances to get back into the game.”
Pivotal
Zambia
Togo
Outstanding performance
Zambia•DefenderZambia struck inside three minutes through Albert Kangwanda and never had to chase the game, despite Togo dominating the ball with 61% possession and completing nearly 140 more passes. Togo pushed hard in search of an equalizer, out-shooting Zambia 12-11 and creating more dangerous attacks, but their final ball let them down repeatedly, evidenced by late misses from Kodjo Laba and Dermane Karim. Zambia's clinical edge told again in stoppage time when substitute Eliya Mandanji finished from close range after Mathews Banda's assist, sealing a result built on defensive discipline and ruthless efficiency in front of goal. With ten changes made across both sides in the second half, the match became stretched, but Zambia's shape held firm, giving them a statement win despite being second-best for large periods on the ball.
How entertaining was this match?
Attempt missed. Dermane Karim from Togo takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes high and wide to the left.
Kodjo Laba from Togo misses an attempt with a header from the center of the box, sending it too high. The chance was assisted by Henri Koudossou, who delivered a cross after a set piece situation.
David Hamansenya commits a foul for Zambia.
Kévin Denkey from Togo is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
David Hamansenya from Zambia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Kévin Denkey from Togo commits a foul.
Kévin Boma from Togo commits a foul.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 6 minutes of added time.
Foul committed by Dominic Chanda of Zambia.
Kévin Denkey from Togo is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Dominic Chanda from Zambia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Owen Tembo commits a foul for Zambia.
Owen TemboYellow CardOwen Tembo of Zambia receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Djené Dakonam from Togo wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Youssifou Atté of Togo.
Albert Kangwanda from Zambia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Mathews Banda from Zambia.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Youssifou Atté from Togo is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Eliya Mandanji's right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the center of the goal by Malcolm Barcola. The attempt was assisted by Joseph Liteta.
Foul committed by Gamphani Lungu of Zambia.
Attempt missed. Steven Nador (Togo) heads the ball from a tough angle on the left, but it goes wide to the left. He was assisted by Henri Koudossou, who delivered a cross after a set piece.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Lameck Banda commits a foul for Zambia.
Henri Koudossou from Togo wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by Mathews Banda of Zambia.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Mathews Banda from Zambia.
Dermane Karim from Togo is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Joseph Liteta of Zambia.
Dermane Karim from Togo is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution for Togo: Sharani Zuberu comes on for Charles Abi.
Attempt saved. Kodjo Laba from Togo has a right-footed shot from over 40 yards on the right wing, but Willard Mwanza from Zambia saves it in the top center of the goal. The assist came from Jean Claude.
Corner awarded to Togo after Willard Mwanza concedes.
Zambia wins a corner after Kévin Boma concedes.
Substitution for Zambia: Gamphani Lungu comes on for Fashion Sakala.
Substitution for Zambia: Eliya Mandanji comes on for Kingstone Mutandwa.
Zambia wins a corner after Kévin Boma concedes.
Kingstone Mutandwa from Zambia commits a handball.
Foul committed by Joseph Liteta of Zambia.
Dermane Karim from Togo wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Owen Tembo of Zambia.
Djené Dakonam from Togo wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Zambia is awarded a corner after Kévin Boma concedes.
Lameck Banda's left-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Mathews Banda from Zambia is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Youssifou Atté of Togo.
Zambia wins a corner after Youssifou Atté concedes.
Substitution for Zambia: Lameck Banda comes on for David Simukonda due to an injury.
Substitution for Togo: Kodjo Laba comes on for Loïc Bessilé.
The match is delayed due to an injury to David Simukonda from Zambia.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Zambia wins a corner after Loïc Bessilé concedes.
Kévin Boma's header from the right side of the six-yard box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Henri Koudossou.
Foul committed by Joseph Liteta from Zambia.
Kévin Boma from Togo is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution for Togo: Youssifou Atté comes on for Abdoul Bode.
Togo is awarded a corner after Ricky Chanda concedes.
Substitution for Zambia: Owen Tembo comes on for Miguel Chaiwa due to an injury.
Kévin Denkey's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Djené Dakonam provided the assist.
Kévin Denkey's header from the center of the box is blocked. He was assisted by Henri Koudossou's cross.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Miguel Chaiwa from Zambia.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Attempt missed. Albert Kangwanda (Zambia) takes a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes high and wide to the left. David Hamansenya provided the assist.
Foul committed by Joseph Liteta from Zambia.
Dermane Karim from Togo is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Charles Abi from Togo misses the attempt, sending a right-footed shot from the center of the box high and wide to the left. Abdoul Bode provided the assist with a cross.
Substitution for Zambia: Joseph Liteta comes on for Obino Chisala.
The second half begins with Zambia leading Togo 1-0.
Substitution for Togo: Jean Claude comes on for Samsondin Ouro.
Zambia wins a corner after Kévin Boma concedes.
The first half ends with Zambia leading Togo 1-0.
Albert Kangwanda from Zambia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Abdoul Bode of Togo.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 20 minutes of added time.
Zambia is called offside as Albert Kangwanda is caught in an offside position.
Albert Kangwanda of Zambia commits a handball.
Dominic Chanda from Zambia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Kévin Denkey from Togo.
Miguel Chaiwa from Zambia is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by Abdoul Bode of Togo.
Abdoul Bode from Togo receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Attempt missed. Dermane Karim from Togo takes a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it goes wide to the left after a corner.
Dermane Karim's right-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. He was assisted by Steven Nador.
Corner awarded to Togo after a concession by David Hamansenya.
Togo is awarded a corner after Willard Mwanza concedes.
Albert Kangwanda from Zambia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Abdoul Bode of Togo.
Foul committed by Mathews Banda of Zambia.
Dermane Karim from Togo is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Mathews Banda from Zambia receives a yellow card for a foul.
Handball committed by Charles Abi (Togo).
Charles Abi's left-footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. He was assisted by Kévin Denkey, who provided a headed pass.
Togo is awarded a corner after Miguel Chaiwa concedes.
Dermane Karim from Togo is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by David Simukonda of Zambia.
Attempt missed. Kingstone Mutandwa from Zambia heads the ball from the center of the box, but it goes just to the right. David Hamansenya provided the assist with a cross.
Steven Nador from Togo misses a right-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it to the right. Kévin Boma provided the assist.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Delay in the match in Togo.
Attempt saved. Kingstone Mutandwa from Zambia has a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it's saved in the bottom left corner by Malcolm Barcola from Togo. The shot was assisted by Albert Kangwanda.
Zambia is awarded a corner after Loïc Bessilé concedes.
Attempt missed. Kingstone Mutandwa from Zambia heads the ball from the left side of the six-yard box, but it goes wide to the right. Mathews Banda provided the cross.
Foul committed by Samsondin Ouro of Togo.
Obino Chisala from Zambia wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Kévin Denkey from Togo.
Miguel Chaiwa from Zambia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Kévin Denkey from Togo is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by David Hamansenya of Zambia.
Miguel Chaiwa from Zambia attempts a right-footed shot from over 35 yards, but it misses to the left.
Attempt blocked. Fashion Sakala's right-footed shot from outside the box for Zambia is blocked. He was assisted by David Hamansenya.
Dermane Karim from Togo wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Miguel Chaiwa of Zambia.
Foul committed by Charles Abi of Togo.
David Hamansenya from Zambia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal! Zambia leads Togo 1-0. Albert Kangwanda scores for Zambia with a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the top left corner, assisted by Fashion Sakala's headed pass.
Attempt blocked. Mathews Banda from Zambia has a right-footed shot from outside the box that is blocked.
First half begins.
Zambia host Togo at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium desperate to bounce back after a bruising 3-1 opening defeat to Algeria. Togo, fresh off a win over Burundi, arrive full of confidence and eyeing back-to-back victories to seize control of Group I.
