30/12/2025
COACH’S TAKEAWAY: Sichone Blames Lack of Preparedness For Loss to Morocco
Zambia national team interim head coach Moses Sichone says the Chipolopolo exhibited lack of preparedness in last night’s 3-0 defeat to hosts Morocco in their final 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Group A match played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
The Chipolopolo bowed out of the ongoing tournament at the first hurdle as goals from striker Ayoub Kaabi who scored a brace with another coming through Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz saw the Atlas Lions top Group A with 7 points while the 2012 winners finished bottom with 2 points following their loss.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Sichone admitted that his side were not ready to confront the task to stop the tournament’s favourites, Morocco who were backed by their home support.
“The players didn’t look to be prepared but when a day comes like the way it has come today it is unfortunate that it is hard to find the words [to explain reason behind the lack of preparedness] because most of the players didn’t show up in the match, so we need to excuse ourselves over the performance but in the second half we looked better but it was too late,” Sichone told journalists in Rabat last night.
Sichone bemoaned the Chipolopolo’s early exit from the competition while insisting that the country must continue banking on the same side for the future as football demands time before reaping success.
“It is hard for us to leave the competition but there is nothing that we can do, we can only wish the other teams that have qualified all the best in their coming games and as for us, we have to go home and make plans over how are going to use this team,” he said.
He continued: “In football it is never too late, football is about resting and giving it time. Football is not like investing in something today and tomorrow you start harvesting or enjoying. So in football you need to give it time and for sure Zambia needs a bit of time and I’m sure come next Africa Cup, we will definitely see a different team.”
Meanwhile, Sichone also expressed his dissatisfaction over some of the refereeing decisions made in the match by the Senegalese match-officiating panel led by Issa Sy.
“I didn’t like the way the referee officiated the game, that is why I was upset over some decisions. I am sure this is not an excuse but everyone saw how he [referee] officiated the game,” he said.
Zambia have been eliminated from the 2025 AFCON after drawing twice against Mali and Comoros prior to last night’s defeat to Morocco who will be joined by the Malians who finished second with three points despite not yet recording a victory at the tournament.
Mali and Comoros played out to a barren draw in their final group match played in Casablanca and finish second and third respectively with Zambia placed bottom of the Group A after managing two draws.
Photo: FAZ
