Zambia-Rwanda - The Zambia under-23 soccer team's campaign for an appearance at next year's London Olympic Games yesterday kicked off on a promising note with two first half goals against Rwanda in this preliminary round first leg encounter. Zambia went ahead on the 13th and 35th minutes respectively through Rodrick Kabwe and Roger Kola in a game they wasted countless opportunities that either went begging or went wide, high and out in front of a scanty crowd in the terraces. With just 13 minutes into play, Zanaco's midfielder Henry Banda played his way on left and passed to Kola who equally found an alert Kabwe to finish off the combined hard work that was way beyond the Rwanda goalkeeper, Francisco Machel's reach.

Thereafter, the Zambian side showed a bit of promise of what they had to offer in this game that was their coach's first ever win since he took over from tutoring the team when on the 35th minute, FC Basel's Fwayo Tembo outplayed Rwandese players on the right flank and connected Kola for the team's second goal and leave the Zambia leading at half time.

On resumption of the second half, the team's tempo slackened instead of improving as is expected after the half time pep talk as the Zambians relent was evident by their play against an average Rwanda team that they could have easily beaten by a netball score-line.

Realising this, coach Lucky Msiska assisted by Keegan Mumba rested Kabwe for Felix Nyaenda, Banda was benched for Christopher Munthali while Alex Ngoga came in for Kola on the 53, 62 and 81 minutes respectively.

His opposite number in frantic effort for goals also substituted Fabrice Twagizimina for Innocent Habyrimana and Herman Ngoma came in for Aphrodice Hategekimana although the changes did little to change the rhythm of the proceedings on the pitch.

Tembo, who 24 hours prior to this encounter was tying his matrimonial knot, Kola and Simon Silwamba had their attempts at goal wasted.

In a post match interview, Msiska praised his players for the win and promised to treat the return leg with a caution while his opposite number blamed the loss on the team's lack of experience.

"We played very well although in the second half the tempo went down but what is important is a win which we have secured and I know the return won't be easy. We will not play an open game in Rwanda but will be attacking," said Msiska.

Times of Zambia/28/03/2011