Zambia national soccer team coach Wedson Nyirenda says he is disappointed with the result but remains positive of the team’s ability to recover in upcoming matches.
The Chipolopolo lost 2-1 at home to Nigeria in a 2018 Russia World Cup Group B opening fixture played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola Sunday afternoon. It was Nyirenda’s first match in charge of the team.
The Super Eagles scored two first half goals through Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho, while Nyirenda’s men got theirnlone goal through Collins Mbesuma in the second half.
“We are rebuilding the team and at the same time expecting to qualify for the Fifa World Cup. We have brought new players to the team and I think they blended well with the old players,” said Nyirenda in a post-match interview.
“But most of all I am happy with the response we got from our fans. After conceding those two goals they continued to support us. That means that we have real Chipolopolo supporters. They went on until the last minute. Even when we missed those chances they kept on chanting for us.
“But football being what it is, the result today went the other way. I would like to assure our fans that we will compensate this loss in upcoming matches and give them what they deserve.”
And Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr said the first half went according
to plan.
“The result today is a reflection of what happened in the match. What happened in the first half is what we expected. We played well and we scored.
“In the second half Zambia was the better team. They pushed and pushed and they almost made it 2-2 but the spirit of our team is very good so we managed to defend until the end,” said Rohr.
The Chipolopolo’s next fixture is a tough away mach tto Cameroon in November.