Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Division One, Lusaka outfit Athletico Lusaka Football Club are confident of playing the Eden University FAZ Division One National League next season.
Speaking to the ZamFoot Crew shortly after a 5-4 win over Riflemen, Head coach Mr. Brian said the technical bench and the club administration have confidence in the boys who have an average age of 16 years in what they can deliver.
He stated that what matters for them is a massive talent, dedication, and discipline not age. Responding to the goals his team conceded during the match, coach Brian took that as a lesson for his boys as he defended his team and acknowledged the boys were playing against an experienced team that has competed for some seasons with some of their players have even played the Super League previously compared to his side that comprises of young boys only and competing in Division 1 Provincial league for the first time.
He however expressed happiness despite conceding 4 goals as what was more important were getting the maximum 3 points and the overall performance his side has shown so far this season. He reaffirmed his technical bench’s will to keep on naturing talent and take every game seriously as they look forward to playing the National League next season.
Meanwhile, his opposite number, Riflemen Fc accepted the defeat but expressed dissatisfaction from the level of quality officiating. This was seen when the match was halted for almost 5 minutes when the referee awarded a penalty to the home side when the game tight at 3 all in an unclear handball offense situation. Reacting to the game, Riflemen Coach spoke to Zamfoot Crew during the Post Match Interview as he expressed displeasure with the poor decisions that the match officials were making.
Though he accepted the defeat, he still believes the penalty awarded to Athletico Lusaka that was eventually converted by Joseph ‘Sabobo’ Banda was not a genuine one as the ball was nowhere near the hand of his player. The only contact the ball made was the player’s thigh and not the hand as ruled by the referee.
Elsewhere, Airport Warriors head coach Ken Zulu was left unsatisfied with the way their game against Kabwata Dynamos was handled by the match officials.
Speaking to the ZamFoot Crew through a telephone interview, Zulu explained that they played fewer minutes in both halves.
“In the first half, we played 44 minutes out of 45 minutes of which both teams expected our unplayed 1 minute to be reimbursed in the second half but to our shock, after playing 44 minutes of the second half, the referee blew the final whistle living both teams with questions as to why the game had been brought to an end.”
Zulu went on to urge the Football Association of Zambia to consider the level of the matches as they assign the officials to avoid the mistakes they make due to the high pressure the game brings upon them. He further encouraged the referees in Zambia to work hard and be professional as it is good for their development in their field of play as well as for Zambian football.
His opposite side Kabwata Dynamos too, have a similar complaint of playing less required stipulated time of the game of football.
Finally, at Katwishi ground, the match officials had to be escorted to the changing room by the Misisi Youth Academy security after the tempers from Misisi Youth Academy fans were high after spending a minute celebrating, only to be told that the goal has been withdrawn because there was a foul committed by the Misisi side before the ball went into the back of the net.
