Soccer News of Saturday, 2 June 2012

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Ghana's World Cup Group: Sudan 2-0 Zambia

African champions Zambia lost their opening 2014 World Cup qualifier to Sudan who beat them 2-0 in an entertaining match that was played in Khartoum on Saturday.

It was The Falcons of Jediane’s first win over the Chipolopolo since 2009 when they beat them by the same scoreline.

Goals from Mohammed Tahir Osman and Saif Eldin Ali separated the Falcons of Jedaine from Chipolopolo and hand them their first defeat since Decmeber last year whne they lost 1-0 to Angola in a friendly.

With Sudan dominating proceedings in the first half an hour of the match, Zambia were under pressure as they tried to match opponents' pace and skill.

Zambia’s first chance came on seven minutes only for Emmanuel Mayuka’s header to go wide of the Falcons of Jediane’s goal.

With Thomas Nyirenda booked in the 34th minute after a reckless challenge on Mudathir Eltaib, the hosts managed to get a freekick but fluffed the chance.

Four minutes into the second half, Osman let fly from outside the box to give Sudan the lead.

Zambia made a change as they sought the equalizer, introducing James Chamanga in place of Nyirenda in the 55th minute.

Saif Eldin doubled the lead on 72 minutes via a corner to seal victory and givbe the hosts three points.

The Chipolopolo will have dust themselves up for next weekend’s clash against 2010 World Cup quarterfinalists Ghana who thrashed Lesotho 7-0 in Kumasi on Friday.