African football champions, Zambia have added another accolade to their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations trophy, after beating South Africa 1-0 to lift the Nelson Mandela Challenge shield.
In form Collins Mbesuma came in as substitute for the towering Jacob Mulenga at half time and immediately made impact as he constantly menaced the Bafana Bafana defence.
Mbesuma’s continued runs paid off as his left short went beyond the South African goal minder, Itumeleng Khune, to give the Chipolopolo Boys the only goal of the game on 64th minute.
South Africa came close to finding an equaliser in the 74th minute, but goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was equal to the task as he pared the dipping short over the bar.
The Nelson Mandela Challenge trophy is the second that skipper Christopher Katongo, has lifted for Zambia within a year.
The win against South Africa has given many soccer fans hope, that Zambia is back to form, following some unimpressive performances against Uganda during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Meanwhile the Chipolopolo boys’ celebrations after winning the Nelson Mandela Challenge shield were short lived after some South Africa Soccer fans stoned the bus carrying the Zambia National Soccer team.
Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene needed stitches to a cut on his head after being hit by a stone as he boarded the team bus.
Two boys, aged 12 and 13, have been detained for allegedly throwing the stones.
Zambia wins the 2012 Nelson Mandela challenge shield as South Africa soccer fans attack Chipolopolo boys
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