Uganda (1) v (6) Zambia

By Tim Beissmann

ZAMBIA'S women’s team took on Uganda today in a heartfelt battle on the Melbourne Pitch which resulted in a comfortable 6-1 win for Zambia.

The Ugandan drums were beating early in the stands, urging the team on to their first win for the World Cup.

But it was Edinasha Mambwe who put the first goal through in the opening minute for Zambia.

Uganda's players, marshalled by their keeper, piled the pressure on the Zambians, and kept the ball away from them when in possession.

Unselfish and often creative play brought about two more goals for the half, courtesy of Merinda Namafe and Mambwe, giving the Zambians a 3-0 lead at the half time break.

Uganda's players showed great desperation in their attacking half late in the first and sought to carry that through to the second half.

And they did just that as play resumed, scoring quickly on the rebound after fruitless Zambian attacks.

The Zambians were being pushed hard by the Ugandans and responded well to the pressure, with Namafe, Carol Kanyemba and hat-trick hero Mambwe slotting through three goals in two minutes to make it 6-1 and put victory out of Uganda's reach.

The Ugandan side were determined to go down fighting and played tough one-on-one football for the remainder of the match to hold their opponents scoreless in the final minutes.

The win propelled the Zambian women into second position on their table and left the Ugandans winless but by no means out of the hunt for the major prize.

Photos: Photoworx