Morocco edge Zambia
By STEPHEN PHIRI
MOROCCO 1 ZAMBIA 0
A 10-MAN Zambia under-23 national team last night lost to Morocco at the International Olympic tournament in Cairo.Defender Chongo Chirwa was red-carded in the first half in what coach Lucky Msiska described as poor judgment by the referee.
Morocco, who moved to six points, scored from a penalty in the second half.
Msiska, who confirmed the result in an interview from Cairo last evening, said his lads did not deserve to lose.
“The officiating was bad, Chongo’s foul did not warrant a red card and the penalty was dubious. We played extremely well in the second half.
“The match against Malawi is a must-win on Saturday. We cannot afford to lose to Malawi,” he said.
Msiska started with Allan Chibwe in goal and had a flat four defence of Patrick Chibesa, Chirwa, Christopher Munthali and White Mwanamwambwa.
His midfiled comprised Steven Kabamba, Innocent Mwaba, Stanley Nshimbi and Chileshe Kangwa, with Chijoka Nyirenda and Jimmy Ndhlovu completing a 4-4-2 system.
In the second half, Msiska introduced Andrew Nzala and Chakwa Lungu for Nyirenda and Ndhlovu respectively but the goal-drought persisted to the end.
Zambia beat Cameroon 3-2 on post match penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time on Tuesday night while Morocco edged Malawi 1-0.
Zambia, according to the competition rules, have one point because the match against Cameroon ended a stalemate in regulation time.
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