Algeria were the better side – Chiyangi

By Jane Mweemba | November 16, 2019

The Zambia National Soccer team opened their 2021 AFCON Qualification campaign with a 5-0 defeat at the hands of the reigning African Champions, Algeria on Thursday Evening.

Head Coach Aggrey Chiyangi says the defeat has given the team a lot of lessons going forward and described Algeria as the ” better’ Side on the pitch.

“We know that we have a lot of work to do so what is important is to learn from the mistakes that we have made in this game, so those are things that should be done with our team, lessons have been Learnt and will work on them,” he said.

“We told our players to push harder and to see if we equalize, you saw in the 10-15 minutes we did try to push them in their own half and the second goal that we Conceded disturbed us a lot but if we were organized to avoid the second goal it was going to be different.”

Chiyangi further added that Conceding the first two goals had a huge impact on the outcome of the match.

“Yes we have lost but before the game, you can’t say that we are going to Lose but every team is focused to win the game so yes we played a better side we accept it and only those who know football can understand,” he said.

“What changed the game was the goals, we made a mistake instead of attacking the first goal but we didn’t again we conceded a penalty and that gave the opponent energy to keep going on so that is where everything broke down,” he added.

Chipolopolo will on Tuesday the 19th of November 2019 host their old-time rivals Zimbabwe at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka as the 2021 AFCON qualifiers Continue.