Zambia Confederation Cup envoys blame referee over loss
Xinhua, March 18, 2015 Adjust font size:
Head coach of Zambia's envoys in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup competition has blamed the referee over the team's 4-1 loss to Gabonese side CF mounana, the Zambia Daily Mail reported.
Power Dynamos coach Tenant Chilumba said Malawian referee Duncan Lengani contributed to the team's humiliating defeat during the first round first leg tie played on Sunday away in Libreville.
The Zambian trainer said the team lost because they were playing under protest. "The poor officiating by the Malawian referee contributed to our loss as the players were frustrated by his officiating. The game could have seen us getting more than five red cards but we told the players not to over-react," he was quoted as saying by the paper.
But he said his players were capable of scoring five goals during the return leg, adding that there were still chances of the team progressing in the tournament.
"It's not the end of the road as the race is still on. I know most people are disappointed, including the players, who are walking with their heads down," he added.
The two teams will meet on April 4 at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe city on the Copperbelt Province. Endi