Zambia made a modest rebound in their penultimate June friendly match when they drew 2-2 away to Benin in Cotonou.
The result was a relief for Chipolopolo who began their three-match friendly tour on 5 June by being humbled and outclassed by Senegal in Thies as the Copper Bullets went down 3-1 against the highest-ranked African side.
Salulani Phiri and Tandi Mwape scored for Zambia while Cebio Soukou and Yohan Roche were on target for Benin in what was an entertaining game.
Sokou put Benin ahead after just 12 minutes but the lead lasted just seven minutes as Salulani equalized for the home side.
Mwape then put Zambia 2-1 ahead a minute before halftime when he turned in a Spencer Sautu corner on the rebound after Prince Mumba failed to finish off his header.
Zambia goalkeeper Mwenya Chibwe then had a busy second half and the pressure finally paid dividends for the hosts who came back for the second time in the game with an 80th minute goal.
Chibwe made a double-save but could not keep out the third from Roche who tapped in the ball to salvage a draw for Benin.
Zambia will be disappointed to not come away with the win, especially, having led the game twice. This was the second successive draw between Zambia and Benin after finishing the same scoreline at the same venue in another friendly on 13 October 2019.
Zambia now head to Sudan for their final international friendly on 11 June at Omdurman to wrap up their three-game June friendly schedule.
