By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Red Arrows coach Chisi Mbewe has conceded their failure to use home advantage is a factor in their exit from the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League.
Arrows on Saturday lost 2-1 away in DR Congo to hosts TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi to bow out 4-1 on aggregate.
Mbewe said in a post-match interview in Lubumbashi that the 2-0 first leg defeat at home in Ndola on September 14 put Arrows group stage qualification hope in jeopardy.
“I think our regrets are on scoring. In the first leg in Zambia, we created so many chances, it is a game we controlled and we could have scored,” Mbewe said.
“Then again when we came here, our game plan in the first 15-20 minutes of the game was not to allow our opponents to come on us and I think that is when they scored us in the early minutes of the game.”
Mazembe took a one-nil halftime lead through Soze Zemanga.
It took until the 72nd minute to see another goal when Arrows equalised from the penalty spot when Emmanuel Lobota was fouled by Othniel Mawawu.
Ricky Banda then stepped up to successfully convert the spotkick.
Louis Aitchanga put the result beyond doubt in the 84th minute to see Mazembe through to the group stages.
“I think it’s a disappointing result and when it’s not your day there is nothing much you can do,” Mbewe said.
“Otherwise may I mention that the players did their best.”
Arrows CAF Champions League exit ends Zambia’s club interest in continental action after Zesco United’s preliminary stage elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup in August.
