Tanzania 0-1 Zambia Player Ratings: Fashion Sakala Rated 8.5/10 as His Late Strike Seals Victory 1-0

Zambia Player Ratings vs Tanzania

Here are Zambia Player Ratings vs Tanzania

Goalkeeper

Tresford Lawrence Mulenga - 7.0: A relatively quiet day at the office for the Zambian shot-stopper, which is a testament to his defense. He commanded his area well and handled everything that came his way with confidence. A clean sheet away from home is always a solid achievement.

Defenders

Gift Prosper Mphande - 7.5: From our perspective, Mphande was a rock at the back. He read the game brilliantly, making several key interceptions to snuff out Tanzania's limited attacks. He never looked flustered and was a calming presence for the entire backline.

Kabaso Chongo - 7.0: Chongo formed a formidable partnership with Mphande. He was strong in the tackle and dominant in the air. What stood out to us was his no-nonsense approach, ensuring Tanzania's forwards had absolutely no space to operate in. A very solid display.

Midfielders

Obino Chisala - 6.5: A tidy if unspectacular performance in the middle of the park. Chisala kept the ball moving and worked hard to break up play. He didn't offer much going forward, but he played his defensive role effectively.

Benson Sakala - 6.5: A mixed bag from Benson Sakala. He was energetic and covered a lot of ground, but his late booking for a cynical foul was a definite low point. He showed great industry but needed a bit more composure at times.

Kelvin Kampamba - 6.0: Kampamba struggled to impose himself on the game before being substituted at halftime. He showed a few neat touches but was largely on the periphery of the action. We expected more from him in a creative sense.

Lubambo Musonda - 6.5: The captain led by example with his work rate. He was constantly trying to drive his team forward but found it difficult against a compact Tanzanian midfield. Substituted at the break, likely for a tactical switch.

Kelvin Kapumbu - 7.0: An underrated but crucial performance from Kapumbu. He was the anchor in midfield, providing a screen for his defense and recycling possession intelligently. His discipline allowed others to push forward.

Kings Kangwa - 7.0: Kangwa was one of Zambia's brighter sparks, always looking for a progressive pass. His movement between the lines caused problems, and he was central to most of his team's positive attacking moves. A very encouraging display.

Forwards

Fashion Sakala - 8.5: The undisputed man of the match. For 74 minutes, he was a persistent threat with his pace and direct running. Then, in the 75th minute, he produced the moment of magic, finding the back of the net to secure a massive three points. A clinical finish from the highest-rated player on the pitch.

Patson Daka - 6.5: It was a frustrating evening for Daka. He worked tirelessly and made some intelligent runs, but he was often isolated and didn't get the service he thrives on. He'll be disappointed not to have gotten on the scoresheet before being subbed off.

Substitutes

Lameck Banda - 6.5: Came on and provided fresh energy, helping Zambia see out the game after they took the lead.

Emmanuel Banda - N/A: Brought on late to shore things up.

Joseph Sabobo - 6.5: His introduction at halftime added a different dimension to Zambia's attack.

Manager

A. Grant - 7.5: Grant's game plan worked to perfection. He kept his side patient and organized, and his substitutions had a positive impact. He identified what needed to change at halftime and ultimately guided his team to a crucial away win. A tactical masterclass.

Tanzania Player Ratings vs Zambia

Here are Tanzania Player Ratings vs Zambia

Goalkeeper

Yakoub Suleiman Ali - 6.0: He'll be heartbroken with the result. Ali had little to do for large spells but was left completely exposed for the goal. He couldn't have done much about Sakala's clinical strike. A tough way to end the match.

Defenders

Ibrahim Hamad - 6.5: A solid and committed performance from the defender. He was strong in the challenge and made several important blocks. It was a shame his defense was finally breached so late in the game.

Pascal Msindo - 6.0: Msindo put in a decent shift, holding his position well for most of the match. However, he was caught slightly out of position for the decisive goal, a minor lapse that proved costly.

Bakari Mwamnyeto - 5.5: The captain organized his backline well for 75 minutes, but his performance was marred by a yellow card. He battled hard but ultimately couldn't prevent the late Zambian winner. A disappointing end for the skipper.

Israel Patrick Mwenda - 6.0: Mwenda was diligent in his defensive duties, tracking runners and staying compact. He didn't offer much support going forward, focusing primarily on keeping Zambia at bay, a task he managed well until the final quarter.

Midfielders

Feisal Salum - 5.5: Salum worked hard but his frustration boiled over, leading to a yellow card. He struggled to find the creative spark needed to unlock the Zambian defense. It just wasn't his day.

Charles M'Mombwa - 6.0: M'Mombwa was industrious in the engine room, breaking up play and trying to link defense to attack. He ran his socks off but lacked that final bit of quality in the opposition half.

Yahya Zayd - 5.5: A combative display from Zayd, but like his midfield partners, he couldn't dictate the tempo of the game. Zambia's midfield often had the upper hand, leaving him chasing shadows at times.

Forwards

Abdul Hamisi Suleiman - 5.5: He was left isolated for long periods and had to feed on scraps. Suleiman showed glimpses of his ability but was effectively marshaled by the Zambian defense. A very quiet evening for the attacker.

Khalid Habibu - 5.5: Similar to his strike partner, Habibu found opportunities extremely limited. He made plenty of runs but the service was lacking. From our perspective, the Tanzanian attack never really got going.

Substitutes

Tarryn Allarakhia - N/A: Came on at halftime but couldn't change the flow of the game.

Novatus Miroshi - N/A: Introduced late in the match.

Manager

H. Suleiman - 6.0: His strategy to contain and frustrate Zambia almost paid off perfectly. His team was organized and disciplined, but they offered very little threat going forward. Conceding so late after a resilient defensive performance will be a bitter pill to swallow.

Sportsdunia's Player of the match is Sakala