Kalumiana Kalumiana
Moses Sichone has admitted Chipolopolo were second best against hosts Morocco who beat them 3-0 on Monday in Rabat to eliminate them from the 2025 AFCON.
Tuesdays loss saw Chipolopolo exit the AFCON on 2 points from 3 games and bottom of Group A.
Another key highlight was that Chipolopolo scored just one goal at the tournament capping a 2025 in which Zambia has won just one game, drawn 3 from 15 played plus a boardroom walkover win in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers over Congo Brazzaville.
It is the second time in Chipolopolo’s AFCON history that Zambia has only managed to scored one goal since 2002.
Sichone said in his post match interview in Rabat that it was time to go back to the proverbial drawing board and called for patience during the process.
“We did not show the same level we displayed in the previous matches. We made silly mistakes and Morocco punished us, and that is how the game ended. We can only apologise for the performance,” Sichone said.
” The players didn’t look to be prepared but when a day comes like the way it has come today it is unfortunate that it is hard to find the words to explain reason behind the lack of preparedness because most of the players didn’t show up in the match, so we need to excuse ourselves over the performance but in the second half we looked better but it was too late.”
Sichone returns home under-fire after an underwhelming last 6 matches since replacing his ex boss Avram Grant with just 3 draws to talk about.
His mandate was for an ambiguous period before and after the AFCON until a permanent replacement is sourced
“We have to go home and make plans over how are going to use this team
“In football it is never too late, football is about resting and giving it time. Football is not like investing in something today and tomorrow you start harvesting or enjoying,” Sichone said.
“So in football you need to give it time and for sure Zambia needs a bit of time and I’m sure come next Africa Cup, we will definitely see a different team.”
