Zambia were unable to make the most of their home ground advantage and lost 1-0 to Tanzania in their CAF 2026 World Cup qualifying encounter at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The result sees Chipolopolo drift down to fourth place in the Group E standings with four matches played and three points, the same as third placed Niger who have two matches in hand.

Tanzania are now tied with Morocco on six points, however the Atlas Lions are going to take on Congo later in the evening. It was a surprising win for the Taifa Stars as Zambia are one of the group favourites.

The match was decided from the fifth minute of play, when a lapse in concentration from Zambia’s defence led to Waziri Shentembo scoring early and taking advantage.

Chipolopolo never recovered from there and tried by all means to score in the 90 minutes, with Patson Daka in particular the star of the show. However, it was not enough and they succumbed to defeat at home in their qualifying campaign.

Zambia: L. Mulenga, G. Mphande, S. Sunzu (O. Chisala 80’), E. Banda (K. Musonda 67’), F. Musonda, M. Chaiwa, K. Kangwa, P. Daka, E. Chilufya (K. Kampamba 68’), L. Musonda, E. Kangwa (K. Mutandwa 87’)

Tanzania: A. Salim, M. Mohamed, I. Hamad, B. Nondo, L. Mwaikenda, H. Mkami (A. Suleiman 52’), M. Yahya (A. Bitegeko 46’), S. Msuva (E. Balua 59’), F. Salum, C. Mzize (L. Lawi 81’), W. Shentembo (C. M’Mombwa 58’)