MTNFootball

Kennedy Mweene turned out to be the hero as the Reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Zambia qualified for next year’s continental show piece when they beat Uganda 9-8 in a nail-biting penalty shootout after their match at the Namboole Stadium finished 1-0, leaving the scoreline 1-1 on aggregate.

In the 20th minute, a ball bounced off a Zambian defender, landing on Tonny Mawejje who blasted his way into the box, but his final low cross failed to find an open Massa.

The Chipolopolo were sloppy in her play, allowing their opponents to rule the business on the pitch under an envelope of deafening sounds from the home fans.

In a do-or-die second-leg encounter for Uganda, they knew they had to score and the home side drew first blood 25 minutes into a game.

An in-swinger from a Godfrey Walusimbi free-kick found an unmarked Geoffrey Massa who adjusted his footing instinctively and slammed the ball past Mweene from six yards out.

The goal brought the aggregate score level to 1-1.

Thereafter Uganda continued to push forward and looked threatening, while Zambia looked extremely lacklustre in both defence and attack.

Still, despite their dominance, Uganda couldn’t create any clear-cut chances on goal.

The second 45, though, ushered in a much more awakened Zambian side, who started off by knocking heavily on the door of the Cranes defense.

Coach Hervé Renard’s men clearly showed more energy in the middle of the park, but they, much like their opponents, couldn’t create any decent scoring opportunities as they game ended 1-0 in favour of the home side and 1-1 on aggregate taking the game to penalties.

 It was a heart-stopping affair as penalty-taker after penalty taker found the back of the net until Mweene saved a Ochan spot-kick handed Zambia a 9-8 victory.