Zambia loses to Burundi 3-2 in regional soccer championship

Zambia was stunned by a 3-2 loss to Burundi on Sunday in the opening Group B match of the Confederation of East and Central Africa Football Association ( CECAFA) Challenge Cup played at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, local newspaper Zambian Daily Mail reported Monday.

Burundi's Alain Ndizeye scored first in the eighth minute from a freekick, beating Zambia's goalkeeper George Kolala.

Burundi continued pressing the pedal and Aime Nzombaeo scored a second goal in the first half.

On resumption, Burundi made it three through Suleman Ndikumana, according to the paper.

On 67 minutes, Zambia's Rainford Kalaba tapped in a cross and Adubelo Phiri narrowed the gap by scoring the second two minutes from time.

Zambian coach Patrick Phiri said his players underrated Burundi and the defeat was a "bitter pill to swallow".

He said Zambia had no choice but to beat Zanzibar who is in the same group next Saturday.

The CECAFA Challenge Cup kicked off on November 25 and will conclude on December 10.

Host Ethiopia is in Group A with Djibouti, Malawi and Tanzania. Somalia, Rwanda, Uganda and Sudan made up Group C.

Source: Xinhua