CHAMBESHI TAKES POSITIVES FROM SOUTH AFRICA BARREN DRAW
Zambia Under-23 National Team coach Beston Chambeshi says a draw was a fair result for the Zambia versus South Africa Group B opener at Al Salaam Stadium.
And his South African counterpart David Notoane said both teams suffered from the absence of their top players who could not be released outside the FIFA window.
During the post-match press conference, Chambeshi said playing South Africa was always difficult as the two teams knew each other very well.
“It was a nice game, very competitive, entertaining and I am happy with the result. South Africa and Zambia is like a local derby, like Zamalek and Al Ahly. It is not an easy game. We have to thank the boys, they played well, there was no hard tackle, and it was a clean game,” he said.
“Overall I am happy, we started very well and South Africa contained us. The second half South Africa came on us trying to counter attack. A draw is better for us.”
And Notoane said playing the opening match without some of their key players was a difficult experience.
“When it came to attack, we had a little bit of awareness due to the absence of certain players. On that note I think a draw is a fair result, I hope we have the audience a very good game. Unfortunately we did not give you the goals, we will keep the goals for the next two games,” he said.
“In my opinion it would be better if the tournament was starting inside of FIFA then we would not have problem with players playing in Champions League and players in Europe.”
Zambia and South Africa drew 0-0 in their opening Group B match while Ivory Coast edged out Nigeria 1-0 to shoot to the summit of the table.
Beston Chambeshi was without Fashion Sakala, Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka who will be available for the next match against Nigeria on Tuesday.
Read this article from the original source: U23 AfCON: Chambeshi Picks Positives From SA Draw.