By Mubukwanu Kaingu
AVRAM Grant has defended Chipolopolo’s subdued display against DR Congo insisting they did what they could to contain a more superior opponent.
Chipolopolo ended their eight-year exile from AFCON when they absorbed an overwhelming DR Congo to finish 1-1 at Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro.
But Grant admitted in his post-match interview at Laurent Pokou that the AFCON has exposed the competitive shortcomings of his key players who are not enjoying game time this season.
Patson Daka, Kings Kangwa and Tandi Mwape are all cases in question but the former has delivered for Chipolopolo with crucial goals while injuries have hit Frankie Musonda and Kelvin Kapumbu plus Stopilla Sunzu’s off-season blues from the China League.
“I think the draw is a fair result because even Congo who were sharper than us wasted their chances,” Grant said.
“Congo has a good team, very well-balanced team, good midfield players and defenders but this is still a very good result for us. But you know sometimes even when a team is winning you are always disappointed.”
DR Congo raced out of the blocks to exploit the left flank occupied by the unfortunate Roderick Kabwe.
It was a case of all hands on deck for the opening 20 minutes with Fashion Sakala and Daka both obliged to help keep out the live-wire Gael Kakuta, Gedeon Kalulu and Brentford striker Yoane Wissa.
But it was against the run of play in the 21st minute that Chipolopolo took the lead when Kings Kangwa fired in one of his long-range specials from a Tandi Mwape throw-in.
Kangwa punished DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Nzau for needlessly rushing out of his box to challenge Daka for the ball and paid the price when a quickly taken throw-in got him in trouble with the team.
However, Zambia’s lead lasted just five minutes after Cedric Bakambu delivered a fine cross that an unmarked Yoane Wissa easily tapped in from close range.
But Chipolopolo then had Sunzu and Daka to thank in the 30th and 38th minutes respectively for making some heroic off-the-line clearances,
Overall, Daka and Fashion were an isolated pair upfront as DR Congo cut the oxygen from a modest Zambian midfield.
A 60th minute VAR decision then justifiably saved Chipolopolo’s day when a suspected handball turned out to have hit Tandi Mwape’s chest as he slipped in the box.
Meanwhile, by the time Grant made late changes by bringing in Lameck Banda for Lubambo Musonda in the 75th minute and Rally Bwalya for Kangwa in the 90th minute, time had already played into DR Congo’s favour to add fuel to questions over Grant’s late decision to make changes.
“I think we didn’t pass the ball as we would have wanted but Congo defended very well. They marked very well it was difficult to score chances against them,” Grant added.
Grant then said he wished he had all his players who had seen little game time in the last seven months in camp before heading to Saudi Arabia.
“You also need to remember that we had a lot of best 11 players that did not play much at their clubs with some playing less than four games but that’s why I am happy because they fought throughout the game,” Grant said.
Chipolopolo now turn to Tanzania on Sunday whom they must beat to enhance their last 16 hopes before facing Morocco on January 24 who beat the Taifa Stars 3-0 in the opening Group F kickoff on Wednesday at the same venue.
