We were unlucky is how Zambia U23 coach Beston Chambeshi has summerized his sides flopped 2019 U23 AFCON campaign in Egypt.
On Friday Zambia exited the 2020 Olympics qualifying tournament after finishing bottom of Group B with 1 point following a 1-0 loss to Cote d’Ivoire.
It was Zambia’s second successive Group B defeat after Nigeria crushed them 3-1 on November 12 just four days after kicking off their tournament outing with a 0-0 draw against South Africa.
“We played a tough game playing Ivory Coast it wasn’t an easy game but we had a good game. Unfortunately it is only that again we conceded a goal through another set-piece,” Chambeshi said.
“But otherwise I am happy with the way the boys have come out, they have fought from the start of the tournament, they have been fighting.
” But sometimes in football you need luck so all I can say is we are out but we have learnt one or two things playing at this high level tournament.
” As you have seen the team has shown character that yes they can play soccer but sometimes it is disappointing when you play such kind of football and you come out of the tournament.
” It is good for the boys that they have played at this level and I think they have learnt one or two things from this tournament.
” But we are going with our heads help up because of the way we have played here but we are out of the tournament. ”
Zambia finished four points behind outgoing champions Nigeria who finished third on 4 points.
South Africa finished second on 5 points, one behind Cote d’Ivoire who have both qualified to the semifinal on the final stretch to determine Africa’s top three representatives at the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
This is the reason he will put in his report? We need qualified coaches urgently!!!
Indeed we need qualified coaches . It was the coach’s luck of technics that’s why we are out . Nothing else
Just accept that at the moment there is no football talent worthy of the AFCON, Olympic let alone world cup. Zambia should forget about playing in any of these tournaments in the next 10years. Maybe lets try party-cadrerism, seems the only thing that zambian youths are good at.
The coach is happy with the performance. The fans, we are fuming. We are definitely not aligned. FAZ and these coaches must pack up and go where they came from. Nkana, ZESCO and Eagles?
Ba Chambeshi, did you expect better results than what you posted at the on going under 23 AFCON tournament considering that you conceded 6 goals in your last 3 matches before the tournament kicked off?
If I were you, I would have humbled myself by apologizing to the Zambian people particularly soccer fans for letting them down.
Since you are happy with the way you played in Egypt, it is clear that the weakest link was the technical bench and not the players. Since you are the weakest link, don’t you consider stepping down?
Yes, it is true that boys have learnt one or two things from the tournament, but, what lessons have you learnt as a coach?
Weare all doomed
You were unluck…really? Then why did you want to go to Spain to camp if you wanted to go to Egypt with luck? This is the reason when you luck planning. You go to Egypt basing on history……and you expect your friends will be clapping. Rubbish!!