President Hakainde Hichilema has joined the Zambian soccer fraternity in questioning the legitimacy and authenticity of the penalty awarded in Monday’s semifinal.
The Head of State made a phone call to the Copper Queens’ following their 1-0 loss to South Africa at the ongoing 2022 Morocco Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
President Hichilema was quick to remind the Copper Queens that they had done a fantastic Jon and that the nation was proud of them.
“First that goal is a questionable penalty, and I think we should look into it carefully it was outside the box but you did a fantastic job, you have done a good run up to now, the semi-final is good, and you qualified to the World Cup (and) we are proud of you and on behalf of all Zambians we are proud of you, feel happy don’t be depressed,” President Hichilema said.
“Mulimbe ma ladies (stay strong ladies), you have done a wonderful job, mwagwila nchito yaikulu maningi ngako (you have done a very commendable job), you have made us proud, we are proud of you, you have really nothing to apologize about to feel sad about you have done a good job, next time you will be there.”
The Copper Queens were robbed by Referee Lydia Tafesae Abebe and Video Assistant Referees (VAR) with a suspicious penalty in the dying minutes of the match for an alleged foul by Martha Tembo on Jermaine Seoposenwe.
The Ethiopian referee had earlier awarded Banyana Banyana a penalty in the 58th minute but after a VAR check it was reversed for a free kick as the foul by Lushomo Mweemba on Cesane was outside the box.
Zambia will now fight for the third place at the Mohammed V Stadium against the Super Falcons of Nigeria on Friday, 22nd July, 2022.
People in Zambia are sleeping hungry and the president has time to talk about whether a penality in a football match was genuine or not! This is a surprise. Not all Zambians are soccer lovers and are not interested in such news. What Zambians want is the president to talk things affecting their lives , how he is going to avail cheaper food, goods and services to them!
If you’re hungry keep your hunger to yourself. It’s high time Africa realised that she has vast and limitless opportunities for everyone. Your cry for pay cheque has made you poor in mind, your life is always in circles and bitter.. if you’re a failure, keep it to yourself and let the president alone.