Angola revived their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals of 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Zambia on Sunday.
The Group “A” clash was played at the 18,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. It attracted more than 4,000 spectators.
Angola, nicknamed the “Sable Antelopes” rallied from behind to secure the important victory.
Harambee stars Daniel Sakari (right) vies for the ball with Maunha Joao of Angola during their CHAN match at Moi Internationals sports centre Kasarani on August 7,2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat| Nation Media Group
Substitute forward Joao Chingando scored a brace for the southern African nation in the 79th and 86th minutes respectively.
Zambia, nicknamed “Chipolopolo” had taken the lead in the 73rd minute through Dominic Chanda.
After playing three matches, hosts Kenya top Group “A” on seven points, followed by Angola with four points from three matches.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are third with three points from two matches, same as fourth-placed Morocco.
Zambia are placed last with zero points from two matches. DRC and Morocco are the only teams which have won Chan title twice.
DRC triumphed in 2009 and in 2016, while Morocco won it in 2018 and 2020.
Zambia lost 2-0 to DRC on Thursday, while Angola lost by a similar margin to Morocco in their first match of the competition on August 3. In their second group match on Thursday, Angola were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Kenya.
Heading into the match, Zambia’s coach Avram Grant had urged his charges not to lose hope following their disappointing start since “ teams can win in the first game and lose in the next while others that lose in the first game can go forward.”
His Angola counterpart, Pedro Goncalves, said they would seek to win all their remaining matches.
Angola players on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on July 31, 2025 for the 2024 African Nation Championship.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Ranked 88th globally, Zambia are making their fifth Chan appearance. Angola who are placed 87th, are competing in Chan for the fourth time. Both teams have yet to lift the tournament’s title.
Zambia got off the blocks quickly, midfielder Kelvin Mubanga testing Angolan goalkeeper Adilson Da Cruz Crpriano after just 27 seconds before another dangerous shot from him moments later was blocked by Angola’s defence.
Maintaining their strong start, Zambia won a throw-in on the right, but Owen Tembo’s curling effort was parried to safety by Angola’s goalkeeper Adilson Da Cruz Cipriano in the third minute.
Zambia drew cheers from a small group of their fans in the stands. Angola also enjoyed the backing of a handful of their supporters.
Zambia thought they had found the breakthrough in the 34th minute but a goal from Benedict Chepeshi was cancelled for offside. Calls by Zambia’s player for centre referee Adissa Ligali to consul the VAR fell on deaf ears.
Angola began the second half on the front foot, coming closes in the 51st minute when Mwasa’s fingertip save denied them. While Chanda scored the breakthrough for Zambia in the 72nd minute, the “Chipolopolo” failed to that lead.
Angola who were guilty of wasting several scoring chances drew level six minutes later through Chingando. He doubled his side’s lead seven minutes later. Zambia would have equalised at death but Chanda missed from close-range.
