We’ll bounce back - Chambeshi
DESPITE having been exposed by Tunisia who humbled the Chipolopolo boys with a 3-1 drubbing in the last Group B Qatar World Cup qualifier, Chipolopolo coach Beston Chambeshi believes Zambia will not miss the next Afcon.
Speaking in a post-match interview after the game, Chambeshi said he has a team that can take the Zambian game forward.
Chambeshi said the Chipolopolo were unfortunate to lose to Tunisia despite having played a good game especially in the second half where they managed to get a goal.
“We wanted to finish the qualifiers on a good not but unfortunately we lost. We played a good game just that we lost the game in the first half. In the second half we were strong enough to play a good game.
“We have a young team of boys who are under 20 and under 23 so we are trying to build the team and now we have a squad which can compete and take our country to another level,” Chambeshi said.
Meanwhile, Chambeshi tipped Tunisia to learn to stay focused until the final whistle as they progress to the final round of the World Cup qualifiers. “Tunisia have a good side but they have to learn to finish the game in 90 minutes. In the second half they collapsed which is not good when you are playing at a higher level,” said the Cipolopolo gaffer who once played for Tunisian outfit Club Sportif de Hammam Lif in 1995.
Tunisia qualified for the final round of the African qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after beating Zambia 3-1 in the last sixth round of Group B.
Issa Al-Aidouny, Mohamed Dragher and Ali Maaloul, scored in the 18th, 31st and 43rd minutes, while Glasgow Rangers striker Fashion Sakala scored the face saver for the Chipolopolo after he scored a rebound from his missed penalty in the 80th minute.
Tunisia finished the Group with 13 points, two points ahead of second-placed Equatorial Guinea who drew their final group game 1-1 with Mauritania.
Mauritania were close to picking their first win in Group B after Aboubakar Kamara put them ahead with a 22nd minute goal which was cancelled out by Saul Coco who scored in the 59th minute for the two sides to share the points.
With a crashed world cup dream after missing three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia will now have to bank on making amends by qualifying for the 2023 AFCON.