Zambia's Chipolopolo Boys rekindled their history yesterday(Wendesday) when they returned to the defunct, Lusaka's Independence Stadium to host Angola ahead of this weekend's CHAN 2011 qualifier against South Africa.
Substitute Makundika Sakala scored for Zambia as the George Lwandamina side beat Herve Renard's Angola at Lusaka’s Independence Stadium to the joy of the fans that trooped to the stadium in large numbers to rally behind the Chipolopolo with a makeshift Grandstand.
The two sides were level at 0-0 in the first half in the match that marked former Zambian coach Herve Renard’s first international meeting against his ex-team since joining Angola earlier this year.
Nkwazi winger Mwepya Kasongo was the darling of the famous ‘Gate D’ staunch fans, which was filled to capacity when at least 15 soccer fans were crushed to death and 52 others injured during a stampede after Zambia's victory over Sudan in a World Cup qualifying game in 1996.
In 2004, the stadium was closed by the then national sports minister citing safety concerns due to the age and status of the building.
Angola are in Zambia to utilise the artificial turf to prepare for their must-win CHAN assignment against Malawi, who held them to a 1-1 draw, in the first leg match held in Luanda.
And In a post-march interview, Renard higly rated Zambia's chances of qualifying to Sudan 2011.
But his opposite number, George Lwandamina maintained that his team is on course to beat South Africa.
Zambia takes on South Africa trailing one-nil needing a two-nil unanswered scoreline to secure a berth at the 2011 Sudan CHAN Championship.
