ZAMBIAN NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM COACH, HERVE RENARD HAILS SPIRITED SOUTH AFRICA FOR GIVING ZAMBIA A COMPETITIVE GAME Zambia national football team coach Herve Renard has hailed his South African counterpart Gordon Igesund and Bafana Bafana for having put up a spirited fight in a fiercely contested COSAFA Cup semi-final match that saw Zambia win 5-3 on post-match penalties after extra time at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Wednesday. After a goalless 120 minutes, Zambia’s penalty kicks were converted by Alex Ng’onga, Bonwell Mwape, Moses Phiri, Kabaso Chongo and Bronson Chama. For his part, goalkeeper Danny Munyau saved Lerato Chabangu’s spot kick. South Africa’s penalty kicks were turned in by Hlatshwayo Thulani, Lebohang Manyama and Mzikayise Manyama. “I have never played a tough and beautiful match like this with locally based players. But to play good games you need two good teams so I would like to congratulate South Africa for giving us a good match,” Renard said Renard also hailed the fans for their support adding that he looked forward to a capacity stadium in the final against Zimbabwe on Saturday. The coach who is used to seeing bigger crowds at the Mwanawasa Stadium said the atmosphere was half of what he had anticipated. “The stadium was not full but it is normal for a match played in mid-week. We won the hearts of the people inside the stadium by going through to the final. We have not won the tournament yet but when you reach the final there is only one target and that is to win the tournament.” And Igesund said it was disappointing to go out at the semi-final stage adding that football had won on the night. “Zambia had a better first half, in the second half we dominated and created a couple of good chances. We hit the post twice and they hit the post once so as far as they are concerned we won 2 – 1. But at the end of the day I think football was a winner because we had two teams with a couple of younger players making their debut. Of course it is disappointing going out in a semi-final because we also wanted to be in the final,” Igesund said Zambia will now face holders Zimbabwe who had booked their place in the final after defeating Lesotho 2 – 1 in the first semi-final played earlier at the Mwanawasa Stadium. South Africa and Lesotho will play out for Bronze in the third place play-off. Both matches will be played at Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday 20th July.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 06:57:13 +0000