Red Arrows back home after premature CAF Champions League exit

Zambia’s envoys in the CAF Champions League Red Arrows have returned home following a disappointing outing in Angola.

 The Airmen touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 16h47 local time. The team was welcomed by the Zambia Air force Chief of Training Brigadier General Nyirenda.

Skipper of the side, Benedict Chepeshi said the players accepted responsibility for the premature exit from the biggest inter-Club football showpiece on the continent. 

“On behalf of the boys, I want to all heartedly thank all our stakeholders as well as the thousands of our dear Zambian fans who rallied behind us. We valued their encouragement, the criticism and messages of solidarity even as we went into the competition. We continue to do so. Actually they (the fans) pushed us to a good fight and had the chances to go beyond this stage but that is what football is,” He said. 

“You make little mistakes as a team..it’s all done. whatever happens, we take responsibility, we share the pain of elimination across and for us it’s a continuous process of learning and working hard until we get somewhere”, Chepeshi added.

The Zambian Champions were eliminated from the CAF Champions League on Sunday following a 1-1 draw with Angolan giants Clube Desportivo Primero de Agosto. 

The Airmen bowed out after an aggregate loss of 2-1 having suffered a 1-0 home defeat thanks to an Ambrosin Salvador goal at Heroes Stadium a week ago. 

The Airmen will now focus their attention on the domestic league with the next test in Week Five against the Kopala team Buildcon slated for 5th October 2022 at Nkoloma in Lusaka.