NAIROBI, Kenya — In an exciting Group A match at Nyayo Stadium, Angola mounted a thrilling comeback to defeat Zambia 2-1 in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024. The victory, their first of the tournament, moves Angola into second place in the group standings.
Angola, who entered the game with a draw and a loss, found themselves trailing in the 73rd minute when Dominic Chanda scored for Zambia. However, their response was swift and decisive.
Just six minutes later, forward Kaporal equalized. He then became the hero of the match, securing the victory with another goal three minutes before the final whistle.
Angola held on to the 2-1 lead, moving their point total to four.
This result follows Kenya’s 1-0 victory over Morocco, which solidified the co-hosts’ position at the top of the group with seven points.
Angola’s next match will be a critical showdown against DR Congo, with qualification for the knockout stage on the line.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s path forward looks challenging as they face the tournament’s undefeated hosts, Kenya, in their next and final group stage game.
Group A standings (Updated)
- Kenya: 7 points (3 matches)
- Angola: 4 points (3 matches)
- Morocco: 3 points (2 matches)
- DR Congo: 3 points (2 matches)
- Zambia: 0 points (2 matches)
With two games remaining for most sides, Angola are now in a strong position to push for a quarter-final berth, while Zambia must win both of their remaining matches to stand any chance of progressing.
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Angola’s statement win now puts them in strong contention for CHAN knockout stage.
Under immense pressure, the team, led by coach Gonçalves, demonstrated remarkable composure and a ruthless finishing ability to secure the win. This performance was a significant turnaround for a squad that was on the brink of elimination.
For Zambia, the loss is a major setback. Despite taking the lead, coach Avram Grant’s side failed to maintain control, a recurring issue in their recent tournament history. This defeat leaves their hopes hanging by a thread.
What’s next
Angola’s next match is a decisive clash against DR Congo, which will likely determine their fate in the tournament. Meanwhile, Zambia faces a difficult challenge against the undefeated tournament hosts, Kenya.
If Angola can carry the momentum from Kaporal’s match-winning performance into their final group game, the Palancas Negras have a strong chance of transforming their shaky start into a deep run in CHAN 2024.
