African champions Zambia edged Uganda 1-0 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium to give the Chipolopolo a narrow advantage going into the second and final leg of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals. South Africa will host the continent’s biggest football spectacle.
The Cranes have not been to the finals of the Nations’ Cup since their second place finish in 1978. The Chipolopolo are looking to get to South Africa to defend the title they won last February in Libreville, Gabon.
After the match at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Uganda coach Bobby Williamson reckons the outcome was a fair result but that it will still be very difficult against the reigning African champions. He shared his thoughts soon after the match with Cafonline.com.
Cafonline.com: What is your general overview of the match? Do you think it was a fair reflection of the game?
Williamson: First of all, let me congratulate the Zambians for winning the Africa Nations Cup this year. They have a fantastic coach and very good players. Zambia is a very good team. We could have done better but it was never going to be easy against the champions. I’m happy that we are still in the tie. I think it was a fair result.
Cafonline.com. After this result, do you think you can turn it round at home and qualify for the finals?
Williamson: We have got hope. It won’t be easy in Kampala. Today it was never easy because we know that it is difficult to win on your travels in Africa. Zambia is very well organized and a very good team. It’s never an easy task against the champions of Africa.
Cafonline.com: Do you think you did well enough to win the match today and what was strategy going into this game?
Williamson: I think we needed to do more. Yes, we never troubled Zambia because they are well organized. We had a good opportunity which the goalkeeper saved. Am disappointed not to win.
Cafonline.com: Does this narrow lose make it easy for you in Kampala? Can you win the tie there?
Williamson: It won’t be easy in Kampala. I know we can do better but it won’t be easy.
