A sterling performance from Amakhosi goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez helped Bafana Bafana to their first victory over Zambia, away from home since South Africa’s re-entry into the international sporting arena in 1992.

It was also Bafana Bafana’s first victory over the Zambian’s, Bafana Bafana previous win being a 3-0 rout achieved over Chipolopolo in a 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifying game, at the FNB Stadium in June 1997. Fernandez heroics in a CAF Cup of nations Group 11 qualifying game ensured, ensured Bafana Bafana returned home with three valuable points. The only goal of the game came in the first half, when South African captain Aaron Mokoena rose above the Zambian defence and headed home a pinpoint free kick.

In keeping his third straight clean sheet for the national team, Fernandez has now gone three hundred and thirty five minutes with out conceding a goal for Bafana Bafana. Ironically it was against Zambia in a COSAFA Cup game in August 2005 that Fernandez began his feat of clean sheets, after conceding two first half goals in that game Fernandez has not been beaten since.

Two other Chiefs players defender Cyril Nzama and midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi, joined Rowen in the game against the Zambians and like the Chiefs keeper were on the field for the full ninety minutes. Nzama won the tussle between himself and former Chiefs striker Collins Mbesuma as he frustrated the burly Zambian striker, while Nkosi was a live wire for Bafana Bafana and proved to be a handful for the Zambian defence on a number of occasions.

While Bafana Bafana notched up a famous victory against Zambia, young Chiefs keeper Itumeleng Khune stood in goal as the South African Under Twenty Three team, gained a 1-1 draw against their Namibian counterparts. The stalemate was enough to help earn Amaglug Glug a passage to the next phase of qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as Steve Komphela’s team advanced with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Other Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying action saw Tinashe Nengomasha make his return to the Zimbabwean national team, after an absence of almost eight months. Unfortunately for Tinashe his return to the national team was not a happy one as Zimbabwe lost their opening group twelve game against Malawi in Blantyre, Moses Chavula’s 33rd minute strike won the tie for Malawi.

David Obua played his part in assisting Uganda in gaining a credible draw in Group 3 away from home against Niger. Uganda are currently second in group 3 and will take on group leaders Nigeria away from home in March next year, The Cranes won their opening group game against Lesotho in September.

Amakhosi defender Siphiwe Mkhonza and midfielder Gert Schalkwyk also travelled with Bafana Bafana to Lusaka over the weekend, the pair did not feature in Bafana Bafana’s historical victory.