By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Chipolopolo assistant coach Perry Mutapa has described Saturday’s 3-1 away friendly loss to Bafana Bafana South Africa at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth as a valuable learning experience for the new bench but that they would find the right formula for Zambia’s 2025 AFCON campaign.
The post-Avram Grant era for the Moses Sichone-led bench, who missed the match after being taken ill with food poisoning, started off with a lopsided performance against an efficient Bafana.
Mutapa, who was standing in for his ailing boss Sichone, said in a post-match interview that they hoped for a better game in their final November friendly against Angola tomorrow in Luanda.
“So for us, I think it’s still a learning experience. And going forward, it’s a new technical stuff. And going forward, I believe we are going to do well,” Mutapa said.
One could not take away Bafana’s deserved goals in a commanding performance that capitalised on Chipolopolo’s defensive shortcomings.
Bafana took the lead in the 42nd minute through a fine strike from Oswin Appollis.
Appollis’ halftime replacement Mohau Nkhota made it two-nil in the 61st minute and eight minutes later Sphephelo Sithole headed in a corner.
Zambia’s consolation came in the dying minutes of the game through Sabobo Banda.
“The most important thing in football it’s about organisation. I think the goals we conceded, you could see the last goal. South Africa had two players on one ball and they scored just a free header,” Mutapa said.
” So those are the things we should work on. I think organisation, defending, I think we shouldn’t concede cheap goals. Tough group in a rebuilding phase for Zambia, but I believe having such a high-profile friendly, I think it has given the opportunity to the young players.”
Chipolopolo have some improvements and adjustments to make on Tuesday against Angola in their final friendly stop in Luansa before regrouping in early December for the 2025 AFCON that Morocco is hosting from December 21 to January 18.
Chipolopolo is in Group A where they have been drawn to play against Mali, Comoros and hosts Morocco.
Zambia will open their AFCON campaign on December 22 against Mali,then play Comoros on December 26 and Morocco on December 29.
Zambia assistant coach Perry Mutapa
