CHILILABOMBWE, Zambia, March 26 (Reuters) - A first minute goal by defender Elijah Tana set Zambia on their way to a comfortable 2-0 win over Congo in their World Cup qualifier in Chililabombwe on Saturday.

Tana's free kick took a wicked deflection to give the home

side the perfect start in the African zone Group One match as

they kept up their challenge for a place in next year's finals

in Germany.

Striker Collins Mbesuma added the second goal just before

halftime, his fourth in the last two qualifiers.

The result put Zambia temporarily into the lead in the

group, three points ahead of Senegal, who were playing Liberia

in Dakar later on Saturday, and Togo, away to Mali on Sunday.

The opening goal came after Congo's French-based Christel

Kimembe had handled the ball on the edge of the area after just

30 seconds.

Zambia's second was set up by winger Felix Katongo, who

proved their best player on the day with his runs down the left.

Katongo fed Mbesuma with a clever through ball before the

burly striker rounded Congo goalkeeper Barel Mouko and scored

from a tight angle.

The game was held up for several minutes after the goal when

a swarm of bees attacked celebrating spectators.

Davies Mwape, playing in only his third international for

Zambia, missed a golden opportunity in the second half before

Congo launched a late flurry.

Substitute Patrick Lolo hit the woodwork when a square ball

bounced off his knee and Destin Makita missed a good chance

after Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene spilt a free kick into

his path.

'It was very satisfying. We are on the right track,' said

Zambia coach Kalusha Bwalya.

'I was very pleased with the level of commitment but we

can't afford to be complacent.'

Zambia face a tough tie away to Togo in their next qualifier

in June and will be without influential defender Tana, who will

be suspended after being cautioned in Saturday's game.