CHAN 2020 – Quarter Final: Morocco 3 – 1 Zambia (S. Rahimi 1′, Bemammer 8′, El Kaabi | M Phiri 80′)
The Zambia national soccer team has been booted out of the on-going Total 2020 CHAN tournament after going down 3 – 1 to defending champions Morocco.
Zambia were a goal down within the first minute, two goals down by the 7th minute and a man down in the 22nd minute before conceding a penalty in the 38th minutes in what can only be described as a chaotic and shambolic first half.
Chipolopolo coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević made two changes to the team that started in the 0 – 0 draw with Namibia in the final group game, bringing in Amity Shamenda and Spencer Sautu for Moses Phiri and Kelvin Mubanga respectively.
The Chipolopolo however made a horrific start to the game. They tried to hold a high line in the opening minute but were beaten with a neat through ball to the right side of the Zambia defense which beat the off side line for Soufiane Rahimi to go one on one with Allan Chibwe and score the opener with less than a minute played on the clock.
Five minutes later, Morocco were again on the front foot, this time attacking through their right. El Kaabi squared the ball to the top of the box and this ended with Rahimi having a point blank shot on goal which was brilliantly saved by Allan Chibwe in the Zambia goal for a corner.
Morocco doubled the score from the resultant corner when Chibwe came off his line but missed the ball. With the Zambia defense caught ball watching, Ali Bemammer found himself free at at the back post to tap in without any pressure in the 8th minute.
Things turned worse for the Chipolopolo when Zechariah Chilongoshi got a red card after a very poor challenge that saw him go with studs high onto the knee of the Moroccan attacked in the 22nd minute. The referee had initially given a yellow card but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) requested for a review and the card was reversed to red.
Micho did not make a substitution but re-arranged his players with Amity Shamenda moving to operate the who length of the left side. This steadied the ship.
Zambia were unfortunate to concede a penalty in the 39th minute when Paul Katema handled in the box with his hand outstretched as he retreated to block a cross. This was tucked in by El Kaabi for their third of the game.
Micho re-arranged his charges after the break by bringing in Moses Phiri and Benson Sakala for Kelvin Kapumbu and Emmanuel Chabula respectively.
Zambia did not sit back and continued to look for a way back – this was leaving them thin at the back but Chibwe in the Zambia goal was in inspired form on the day and was keeping out the Atlas Lions.
The consistent probing finally paid off in the 80th minute when substitute Benedict Chepeshi sent in a cross from the right which was poorly dealt with by the defender for Shamenda to steal the ball and play Phiri in. The Zanaco striker finished brilliantly on the half-turn for Zambia’s face saver.
The result sees Zambia bow out at the quarter final stage for a third time in consecutive CHAN tournaments.
I haven’t watched a single game we have played. But to be honest it looks like failing to produce talent any more. Our U20’s & U17’s cant even qualify for Afcon at youth level. Even COSAFA we failing to win.
It also looks likely we out of AFCON 2021. I don’t think its the Coach. Do we have players who can play with Heart and for the Jersey? Somebody help me?
Talent is there but they just concentrate on teams which are on the line of rail and developed areas, they can’t choose on merit unless one is connected
For as long as the coaching staff do not learn modern defensive formation this result will repeat itself a million times. I am not surprised with this result. Modern defence is about area marking and not running with the wind.
Am so disappointed with the way the referees have officiated the game including the VAR ,it seems they sat and discussed that zambia should be disqualified.
Morocco side did not have a lot of talent, but they are a well drilled team that know how to punish weak teams.
Talent is an issue i feel with not enough locals groomed to play at the high level anymore, more signing or foreigners. But the big issue here is tactics and coaching was not there.
Am so disappointed with the way the referees have officiated the game including the VAR ,it seems they sat and discussed that zambia should be disqualified.
@Seen from afar. Long time no see/hear from you bro. Hope you good.
Gentlemen we back to those days where you have to eat your supper before the game otherwise you won’t have the appetite to eat after the game. We have retrogressed.
Yaba players cooking nshima, fans had better players than the coach, I mean who does that? This coach has poor selection of players and I wonder what he wants to prove, if it was not the addition of Chama, Nsautu and the likes we could have even lost to Guinea Bissau
This coach is very rubbish
I the problem was mistakes they made it is good that they managed to score at the end
Khilalo, players with experience are on the line of rail. You will agree with me that soccer in Zambia is concentrated in urban areas and that’s where coaching is concentrated apart from having very competitive teams. Well your arguments sound like you would widen selection to rural areas. Next time Chipolopolo are in camp you could probably push for Luapula selected to face National X1. That may open peoples eyes on the disparity in experience. I am referring to experience and not on talent.
Selection has been poor starting from the two games against Botswana. The coach has had no idea as to who the experienced players are apart from what he is provided by officials. He is ready to listen. That’s how the fans provided him with players from the “rest team”; Micho ended up picking five! The same system should be applied when picking pros. Some of the discarded pros should be allowed to come and showcase their skills to the national coach without bias. Lads like Mwape Musonda, Kalaba, Sinkala, Chirwa, triple c, Sunzu, Kalunga, Larry Bwalya, Kabaso Chongo etc should be part of the “rest”. I can assure you the team will undergo a drastic change for the better. We could have walked over Botswana home and away! Give Micho the right material he will deliver.
I need to get a police permit to beat Michovfor failing us. Look at the shape of his head, even on the first day of his appointment I said FAZ has K500 000.00 monthly salary to an idiot.
Nigeria loves you Chipos. Bring back Kalu and football will be great again
Black stars are the best followed by Super eagles
Bring back Kalu