Former Chipolopolo captain Christopher Katongo has labelled the Zambia’s U23s that lost 3-1 to Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles on matchday-2, Group B, at the ongoing 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt poor and nonprogressive, Completesports.com reports.
Zambia shot into the lead through Patson Daka in the 11th minute, but Imama Amapakabo’s team fought back to win it 3-1 through goals by Orji Okonkwo (17th), Kelechi Nwakali (65th) and Taiwo Awoniyi (90th ±).
The result has left Zambia at the bottom of Group B on one point having played goalless with South Africa on matchday-1. They will face third-placed Cote d’Ivoire in their last group match on Friday.
Group leader South Africa who pipped Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 on Tuesday will clash with second-place team Nigeria also on Friday.
“A 3-1 loss for the U23’s
My summary: 1. We played badly. Our tactics were simply to pump the ball forward as quickly as possible,” Katongo tweeted on his Twitter platform.
“2. The ref blew for everything (against both sides). 3. Some of our players are worse than when they were U20. They have not progressed.”
Katongo also directed his sticks at the centre referee, Pierre Ghislain Atcho from Gabon, insisting his performance in the game was amateurish even if his calls were not aimed at aiding any side.
The official match statistics showed that Zambia committed 35 fouls while Nigeria had 28.
“Come on referee!! 64 fouls in a match??
It wasn’t a dirty game at all and both teams suffered at the whistle of a poor referee,” Katongo tweeted.
By Nnamdi Ezekute
5 Comments
Cote D’Ivoire is actually second placed, head-to-head counts rather than goal difference.
You should check the table, seems the rule is different this time.
Guess I was wrong after all, Nigeria is third head to head.
I kinda see a good talent in this Sinusi Ibrahim. Kinda reminds me of Etim Esin. Always very lively. Only need the right club n manager to bring his best out. He hasn’t even giving 10% of what I see in him n sadly some such players might never be able due to bad managers/agents but to the Glory of God let your case be different. Iwish he goes to club like Ajax, Anderlecht, or any french side for a start. Hes got the talent in him.
Nigeria is second on goal difference. That is the rule in this competition.