• GOOOOOAL!!! PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu and First Lady Esther, celebrate as Zambia thumped Sudan 2-0, to get to the group stages of the Russia 2018 FIFA World qualifiers at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola yesterday.
Picture by THOMAS NSAMA/STATE HOUSE
By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE At Levy Mwanawasa Stadium –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has congratulated the Chipolopolo for progressing to the final round of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
The President said yesterday’s 2-0 win over Sudan in the second round return leg has brought honour and hope.
President Lungu, who was accompanied to Ndola by First Lady, Esther, said this on his Facebook page as he congratulated the Chipolopolo for beating Sudan 3-0 on aggregate to reach group stages.
‘Congratulations to our boys once again. The Chipolopolo have brought more honour and hope with this win,” the President posted immediately after watching the match at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Meanwhile, the 40, 000 capacity Levy Mwanawasa Stadium was yesterday painted orange and green (duplicating the national colours) as thousands of fans clad in Chipolopolo replicas rallied behind the national team throughout the 90 minutes.
An electrifying atmosphere characterised the arena and the VIP stand was no exception, with President Lungu leading the fans in bursting into celebrations as the Chipolopolo scored.
There was never a dull moment during the match as the Chipolopolo anthem, sounds of Vuvuzelas and whistling gave the team extra energy to overpower Sudan.
The Mexican wave constantly swept through the stands to provide a spectacle during proceedings.
Every good display for the Chipolopolo was received with cheers as boos greeted the Falcons of Jediane, with defender Stopilla Sunzu invoking cheers from the stands at every touch of the ball.
Not even the rains could spoil the fans’ party in the last stages of the game as they roared into celebrations after the final whistle.
Streets of Ndola were not spared after the match with scores of fans dancing to the various Chipolopolo tunes.
The Chipolopolo will have to wait for the draws to know their opponents in the group stage but for now, the fans and players will continue to savour the moment.
