The sensational manner which Zambia upstaged one of the pre-tournament favourites of AFCON 12, Senegal is a warning to all the so called favourites to sit up.

The way the fast running East Africans mesmerized Senegal in the pulsating first half that saw them 2-0 up was simply marvellous.  They were never awed by the heavy built of their opponents and beat them with sheer speed.

To be fair to Senegal, they found their composure in the second half and showed masterful experience often times cutting the Zambian defence into ribbons.

Their lone goal was a class act and there was little the Zambian goalie could do. The pressure was definitely on Zambia in the second half and it is their credit that they put up such grit determination to collect maximum points.

Zambia’s performance was akin to the brilliant show by co-hosts Equatorial Guinea who had earlier beaten Libya 1-0 after the colourful opening ceremony.

In such tournaments the hosts usually panic in the traditional opening game but Equatorial Guinea played with calm nerves and richly deserved the 1-0 win.

It’s my wish that these lively opening matches would set the pace for a top class competition that would show to the world that the standard of the game has improved tremendously in Africa.

Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

March 20 1994:  The Zambian national football team which requires more than 280,000 dollars for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia is in London but without sufficient funds to cover their expenses.

The team left Zambia without money for the players’ allowances and upkeep except air tickets. It had only 25,000 dollars in its kitty.