The referee gave Zambia imaginary free kicks- Comoros boss.

Comoros head coach Younes Zerdouk believes the referee Samuel Uwikunda favored Zambia in Tuesday’s 2023 Ivory Coast Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Zerdouk told the media during the post match press conference that Uwikunda gave Zambia imaginary free kicks and stopped most of Comoros attacks.

The Frenchman of Moroccan descent went on to say that Africa will not develop with that kind of officiating. Zerdouk was however impressed with the display from both teams on the pitch.

“We witnessed a very good game, we had some challenging moments. We had more opportunities and where in charge of the game. Those free kicks given to Zambia were imaginary and not true. Everyone witnessed it as long as we continue to have such officiating Africa will not progress. It was beautiful football we witnessed hence the referees need proper training to handle such a match,” Zerdouk told the ZamFoot Crew.

“If we want to progress in Africa we need referees who are capable of handling such games. Each time we started to attack he would stop the game and don’t forget Zambia has a good front line.”

Zerdouk believes his team will qualify to the AFCON despite the setback suffered on Tuesday.

“We had an opportunity for us to win today’s game but with this situation we go back to zero so we have to do everything to qualify,” he said.

“The pressure is not on the team but on me as an individual. A loss is something I can’t accept. I still believe we will qualify,” he added.

Enock Mwepu levelled matters for the Copper Bullets just before the half time break to cancel out El Fardou Ben Mohammed’s 13th minute opener.

Klings Kangwa then produced a moment of genius as he netted a brilliant free kick in the dying minutes to secure a win for Aljosa Asanovic’s men.