Zambia started their 2026 World Cup qualifiers campaign with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Congo Brazzaville at home on Friday. The hosts had a good start to the encounter, enjoying possession and having their first attempt on goal just two minutes into the match. Benson Sakala's shot went wide of the post, but just a few minutes later, the combination of Fashion Sakala and Emmanuel Banda in the left flank made Emmanuel Banda make a perfect cross into the box, with Leicester City's forgotten striker Patson Daka giving Zambia the lead just five minutes into the game with a perfect header. However, Congo Brazzaville came back rolling, scoring two quick goals in the 13th and 15th minutes with Silvère Ganvoula and Mons Bassouamina scoring respectively after some poor defensive showing from Zambia's captain of the day, Rodrick Kabwe, who was easily beaten. Zambia thought they got their equalizer in the 35th minute with some good interchangeability of passes between Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala, but Fashion Sakala's goal was ruled out for offside by first assistant referee Wahid Youssef Elbosaty Youssef, who had his flag raised for what appeared to be a wrong call as Vladis-Emmerson Illoy-Ayyet looked to be playing Sakala onside from the far end. However, with the absence of VAR in African football, the officials didn't have a chance to rectify the mistake. But it was US Lecce's speedy winger Lameck Banda who left Congo Brazzaville defender Vladis-Emmerson Illoy-Ayyet for dead before beating the keeper near the post with a low shot to get an equalizer for Zambia, making it 2-2 with his second goal of the game, having also scored in US Lecce's 2-2 draw against AC Milan in his last outing for the club. Banda's equalizer in the 43rd minute meant the match went to the break tied at 2-2. The restart was all Zambia, and coach Avram Grant had to look to the defense to stir the direction of the match to his favor, bringing in fan favorite Simba SC midfielder Clatous Chota Chama in place of Benson Sakala in the 66th minute. It took him a few touches to contribute to Lameck Banda's cross into the box, which was well met by Fashion Sakala, who scored with his stomach in the 69th minute to make it 3-2 for Zambia and 8th goals for the national team for Fashion Sakala in 25 matches so far. Leicester City man Patson Daka got his second for the day in additional time with Sakala setting him up after Clatous Chama found Sakala in the far corner for him to set up Daka for his brace. However, Zambia may have won today, but they should not go into celebratory mode as there is serious concern with their defense having conceded some cheap goals. The midfield combination of Benson Sakala, Emmanuel Banda, and Kings Kangwa failed to tick in the first half, giving the opposition too much space to work with. Going into their World Cup qualifiers second match on Tuesday against Niger in Morocco, coach Avram Grant needs to work on his team.