Zambia has moved a step closer towards qualifying for the Cameroon 2020 CHAN championship after the team beat Eswatini by a goal to nil.

Green Eagles Amity Shamende scored the only goal to frustrate the hosts whose defence had proved difficult to breach until five minutes before the final whistle.

With the final match slated for 19 September, it will be advantage Zambia as a draw is enough to see the team qualify for the tournament.

Speaking following the victory in Eswatini, Zambia national team coach Aggrey Chiyangi said the match was tough but the Chipolopolo boys ensured that their opponents did not breach the mid-field.

He said he was glad that the team had followed instructions and emerged victorious going to into the second half.

“Yes we have managed to win but Eswatini applied themselves well. It’s just that we knew what they were trying to do and we made sure that they don’t breach our defence. Otherwise this was a tough game and we are glad to come with a win. Like I said, we are going to attack going into the game and defend when we lose possession. And we made sure we didn’t give them space in the middle field because if we gave the space in the middle field then it would have been easy for them to attack us. So we had to make sure that we made it difficult for them to go through the middle field.”

“The only thing I can say is yes we have one foot going into the second half but we need to lift the other foot. So we have to perform even in Zambia. So here yes we are ahead of them but we intend to play even better in Zambia so that they don’t have a chance of qualifying themselves. That’s what we have to do.”

He said the team will plan well going into the second leg and ensure that the Eswatini side is not underrated.