The Zambian Army Football team beat the Malagasy Republic's Antalaha F.C. by 4 - 2 in the first round first leg of the African Club Champions Cup on Sunday (10 February).

The Army team, which has only been in league football for a short time, now are favoured to go into the second round.

The match took place in a tense atmosphere because another Zambian team, Kabwe Warriors, were stoned and six of their players were seriously injured while playing Malagasy champions Fortier Majunga in last year's competition.

The President of the Malagasy Football Federation, Andarianannarive Beloha, on his arrival in Lusaka promised a clean game and said "that the stone-throwing incident was not started by Fortior Majunga supporters and had nothing to do with us". Saturday's game was open and sporting and there were no incidents.

Patson Kunda opened the scoring for the Zambians, with a neat goal in the 14th minute. Eleven minutes later Donwell Yobe hit the second Zambian goal. At this stage the Zambians appeared to have control of the game and it was a surprise when five minutes before half time Antalaha mounted a powerful attack and in the confusion Dick Chamba of Zambia conceded 'an own' goal.

The large Zambian crowd was shocked in the 67th minute when Theodore equalised for Malagasy to round off a successful attacking movement.

The 12,000 strong home crowd began to worry. But only three minutes passed before Obbie Kapita stormed through to give Zambia the lead again. Ten minutes later Obbie scored again to make it 4-2 and give the Zambian Army a decisive lead to take with them to the second leg in Tananarive on April 7.

SYNOPSIS: In Lusaka on Sunday the Zambian Army football team in the dark shirts, took an early lead over the Malagasy champions, Antalaha, with this goal by Patson Kunda.

It was a first leg, first round match in the African Club Champions Cup.

The Zambians were favourites to win -- even though they had only been in league football a short time because Zambia is one of the strongest footballing nations in Africa. Donwell Yobe made it two to zero after twenty five minutes.

The twelve thousand crowd in Independence Stadium were naturally delighted.

But just before half time Malagasy pulled one back. They mounted a powerful attack and in the confusion Dick Chama of the Zambian Army conceded 'an own' goal. Although the Army team lack international experience as a Club, six of the team have played for Zambia. Chama is assistant national team captain.

The Army launched into the battle in the second half just as vigorously as they had in the first.

It was a contest fought against a background of tension. For last year in the same competition six members of the Zambian teams, Kanwe Warriors, were seriously injured during a match against the Malagasy champions Majunge. A section of Majunga supporters rioted and stoned the Zambian player.

On Sunday pleas for calm were made by both Zambian and Malagasy officials.

The game was open and sporting -- and the crowd well-behaved.

In the sixty seventh minute -- home supporters received a shock as the Malagasy forwards attacked shock as the Malagasy forwards attacked from within their own half.

It was particularly fine move and took the Zambian defence by surprise.

And it was Theodore who headed home to put the Malagasy champions right back in the game.

It would have been a good result for the visitors. But they were not to hold onto equality for long. Three minutes later the well disciplined Zambians attacked -- eager for a winner.

It was Obbie Kapita who pounded through to score. And ten minute later he did it again to make the final score four-two.