Christopher Katongo scored on Monday to give Zambia a 1-0 win over South Africa, their first in group C of the African Cup of Nations.
Katongo scored a 73rd-minute cross from Clive Hachilensa to hand South Africa, the 2010 World Cup hosts, their third straight defeat without scoring.
Zambia had also been eliminated before the match and were playing for pride at the partially renovated Alexandria Stadium. Most of the 5 000 fans present chanted ”Egypt, Egypt” throughout the game.
”We are disappointed … we did not get the results we expected,” South Africa coach Ted Dumitru said. ”We took a dynamic approach to this game, but we missed maybe four chances to score.”
Zambia coach Kalusha Bwalya said his team, who mostly play in local clubs and nearby South Africa, had stood up to formidable competition and were happy to end with a win.
”This game did not end up being of any consequence, but the country’s pride is always important,” said Bwalya, who dismissed calls at home to resign after failing to advance.
”I told the boys, ‘This is the African Cup of Nations and we have to take something home.’ In the second half, we tried to up the tempo and we broke the deadlock.”
South Africa pressed Zambia for most of the match and twice missed clear chances to score in the first half.
Daniel Tshabalala slipped in the goalmouth in the 42nd minute with the ball at his feet and Siyabonga Nomvethe botched an injury-time cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala.
Portsmouth striker Collins Mbesuma led the Chipolopolo’s counterattacks and nearly scored a great back flick in the 32nd minute, sending a ball from James Chamanga just wide of the goal. Katongo then appeared to put the Zambians ahead seconds before the break, but his goal was disallowed by a late offside call.
Zambia fought harder in the second half and a header from Katongo beat goalkeeper Calvin Marlin in the 49th minute but skimmed the post. The midfielder repeatedly tested Marlin’s reflexes and eventually scored at close range from Hachilensa’s ball through South Africa’s ragged defence. — Sapa-AP