Namibia coach Ricardo Mannetti concurred that his team was the better side in Monday nights 2018 CHAN Group B top two decider against Zambia.
Namibia made Zambia earn top spot in Group B the hard way despite both sides advancing to the quarterfinals with a match to spare heading into Monday’s meeting.
Zambia finished top on goal difference tied on 7 points with Namibia whom they will visit this March in a 2019 AFCON Group K qualifier in Windhoek.
Namibia, who are making the CHAN debut, came into the match with quite a reputation following stunning 1-0 wins over Cote d’Ivoire and Uganda , both score via stoppage time goals.
“We showed that we can play different football. The first two games were about the result and getting out of the group,” Mannetti said.
“After getting out of the group whether we meet Sudan or Morocco was secondary to us. Tonight (Monday) we showcased that we can play good football and the team is strong.
“We dealt better with ball possession.”
Namibia have now picked up three wins and a draw in their last five meetings against Zambia following Monday nights result.
Meanwhile, Absalom Iimbondi put Namibia ahead in the 12th minute from a free-kick that took a bounce before eluding Zambia goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata.
But Zambia equalized twelve minutes later through Lazarus Kambole who he tapped in a cheeky ball after some hard work by Ernest Mbewe.
From then on Namibia put Zambia under pressure that saw Nsabata working overtime to ensure the score line remained even.
Does it make any difference?
It does not the score was one one period. Try next time.
Ba LT your story doesnt give us the scoreline. Fans always want the result not how a coach feels about his team
You skipped comprehension classes.
The story talks about 1 ahead by Namibia before Zambia equalized then Nsabata worked had and the game ended even.
That is why you never play when playing small teams! They will begin bragging rights! Gone are the days we used to give such teams 4-0 bashing.
Ha ha ha!!! ati they played better than Zambia? At the end of the day what matters is the scoreline, that is what football is about. Even for us during the World Cup Qualifier, Zambia played better than Nigeria but Nigeria scored the goal and qualified. The kids are still learning the rules of football, they ask Mourinho about playing for results and not entertaining the crowd,
Doggie doo life, poo with a chelly on top.
yes you played better than but Zambia achived better objectives
1. Avoiding playing the hosts
2. Not losing any game including not giving your team a fourth win
I hope our coach saw what you saw to fix for the next game. Well done but don’t grow big headed it may work against you
We shall see you in March and that’s when you need to prove that you can play better than Chipolopolo.
We cannot outran hottentots in the desert of Morocco.