Chipolopolo Boys coach Sichone reflected on the team’s AFCON exit following their 3–0 defeat to Morocco, a result that saw the Chipolopolo bow out of the tournament and finish bottom of Group A.
“We did not show the same level we displayed in the previous matches. We made silly mistakes and Morocco punished us, and that is how the game ended,” Sichone said.
“We can only apologise for the performance,” he added
The coach admitted the disappointment of exiting the competition but stressed the need to look ahead.
“It is painful to leave the tournament, but there is nothing more we can do now.
“We congratulate the teams that have qualified, while for us it is time to go back home and start planning how to build this team.”
Sichone also called for patience and long-term investment in the national side.
“It is never too late. Football is about investment and giving the process time. Zambia needs a bit of patience, and I am confident that by the next AFCON, we will see a very different team.”
Zambia finished bottom of Group A with 2 points.
Morocco and Mali advanced to the last 16.
Bwana Sichone, to say you did not show the same intensity as displayed against Comorros, diqualifies you as the right coach for Chipolopolo. You should have beaten Comorros but there was no intensity. You played like a team already leading and is winding time down. Against Morocco, it was apparent, the team’s fitness levels were not up to scratch. FAZ must do the right thing and develop a program to develop the coaches. The Municipalities must leave public spaces where kids can play soccer at a young age and not give out plots everywhere.
You are spot on the coach was clueless. You can’t go to every game with the same mentality and tactics.
Comoros was the game to won seeing that we stood no chance with either Mali / Morocco. WELL did we even stand a chance with Comoros or any of them ⁉️
We can look foward to a future without you in it. 3 yrs with the national team but same performances means we have seen and tried your capacity.
If it’s a Zambian worth trying is Beston Chambeshi @ least he can put together a squad.
I honestly wonder how this tournament would have gone with the old man still in charge. The ting I will say is Sichone definitely didn’t bring confidence to the team and the way they played against Comoros was probably the most troubling thing I’ve seen in the Zambian squad. They were flat, lacked creativity, and didn’t even seem interested in winning. I agree on the lack of fitness, they need an actual physical trainer and conditioning coach. At least we have a possible new number one
@ Positive Thinking long time and good to get you back. I personally think grandpa Grant would have done better than last time.
Failure to tick against Comoros surely was the lowest we could get and because of that performance, I expected FAZ to act and get rid of big Nose! He is not taking us anywhere.
Abel Nyirongo and Kailimina should have at least made that squad. The young lads would have performed well than Fashion, Lameck and Daka