Bafana Bafana delivered a decisive 3-1 victory over Zambia’s Chipolopolo at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but the result was overshadowed by allegations of food poisoning emanating from the visiting camp.
Zambia came into this showdown without their head coach, Moses Sichone, and some members of his team due to suspected food poisoning.
However, the match went ahead with assistant coach Perry Mutapa leading Chipolopolo, with the help of Noel Mwandila, Kennedy Mweene and Joseph Musonda.
FAZ STATEMENT ON CHIPOLOPOLO FOOD POISONING CLAIM
“The Football Association of Zambia [FAZ] wishes to inform its members and stakeholders that Chipolopolo coach Moses Sichone and some members of his team have been ruled out of this afternoon’s FIFA International Friendly Match due to suspected food poisoning,” reads the statement.
“FAZ general secretary Machacha Shepande says technical committee vice chairperson Kalusha Bwalya has remained behind at the hotel with medics attending to him and the affected players and staff.”
Meanwhile, Shepande added: “We wish to inform our members and stakeholders that our Head Coach, Mr Moses Sichone, Video Analyst Elias Chipota and some players will not participate in the friendly game due to suspected food poisoning.
“However, the game will go on as scheduled with assistant coach Perry Mutapa taking charge alongside Noel Mwandila, Kennedy Mweene and Joseph Musonda.”
Nevertheless, Hugo Broos‘ charges began the showpiece well, creating several goal-scoring opportunities in the first half and dominating possession.
With Bafana piling up pressure on the neighbours, Zambia, Appollis broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute of the contest, thanks to Sipho ‘MasterChef’ Mbule’s beautiful assist.
Chipolopolo failed to trouble the hosts much in the first half as they struggled to test Ronwen Williams and find an equaliser.
BAFANA BAFANA LEADING ZAMBIA AT THE HALF-TIME BREAK
Bafana went into the half-time break ahead of Zambia 1-0, making use of their home ground advantage to take charge of the encounter.
Before the second half started, Broos made three changes, with Williams, Teboho Mokoena, and Appollis replaced by Sipho Chaine, Mohau Nkota, and Thalente Mbatha, respectively.
South Africa started the second stanza in a similar fashion, forcing Zambia’s defence to commit errors at the back and add to the scoreline. However, Zambia entered their strongest phase of the match, yet they were held back and failed to create meaningful opportunities to level matters.
South Africa redeemed themselves, with Mbule providing another assist to Nkota, who scored in the 62nd minute.
Just six minutes after the restart, Siphephelo Sithole scored the third goal for South Africa.
Joseph Sabobo scored the only goal for Zambia in the stoppage time of the second half. But Chipolopolo couldn’t bounce back into the game, with Bafana taking command of the tie, making sure they walk away victorious.
The game ended 3-1 in favour of Broos’ boys, as Bafana continue to prepare for the upcoming AFCON tournament, which will be held in Morocco from the 21st of December.
RELATED STORY: Hugo Broos reveals pre-camp hotel hiccup