ZAMBIA coach Herve Renard has blamed the poor pitch at Mbombela Stadium for his team's early elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The Chipolopolo, who arrived in South Africa as African champions following their triumph at last year's tournament, were first-round flops, failing to win a single game but also avoiding defeat. Their three draws - the latest being a goalless stalemate against group winners Burkina Faso on Tuesday night - contributed to their downfall.
"The pitch was one of the reasons we went out early," said Renard.
"If I complain about the pitch, people will say I'm crying. But you just have to go and see the pitch for yourself."
Renard's opinion of the much-maligned surface at Mbombela (a 2010 World Cup Stadium) was backed up by his goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene.
Mweene said the uneven surface and inadequate grass covering had contributed to Zambia's defeat. They played all their games at Mbombela and the sandy pitch made Zambia's style of free-flowing football almost impossible.
"The pitch contributed but we weren't efficient in front of goal," said Mweene.
Renard agreed that the pitch did not suit Zambia's style. "I prefer to work with skilled players than to play with seven defensive players. We play on the ground and that is my philosophy."
He also had a dig at the Confederation of African Football, saying the organisation never wanted Zambia to represent Africa at the Confederations Cup in Brazil later this year.
"Zambia aren't sexy enough (for CAF)," he said.
He added that staging the 2013 Afcon finals so soon after the last one in 2012 revealed that CAF wanted Zambia out.
l See Page 25
Zambia blame pitch for early exit
ZAMBIA coach Herve Renard has blamed the poor pitch at Mbombela Stadium for his team's early elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The Chipolopolo, who arrived in South Africa as African champions following their triumph at last year's tournament, were first-round flops, failing to win a single game but also avoiding defeat. Their three draws - the latest being a goalless stalemate against group winners Burkina Faso on Tuesday night - contributed to their downfall.
"The pitch was one of the reasons we went out early," said Renard.
"If I complain about the pitch, people will say I'm crying. But you just have to go and see the pitch for yourself."
Renard's opinion of the much-maligned surface at Mbombela (a 2010 World Cup Stadium) was backed up by his goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene.
Mweene said the uneven surface and inadequate grass covering had contributed to Zambia's defeat. They played all their games at Mbombela and the sandy pitch made Zambia's style of free-flowing football almost impossible.
"The pitch contributed but we weren't efficient in front of goal," said Mweene.
Renard agreed that the pitch did not suit Zambia's style. "I prefer to work with skilled players than to play with seven defensive players. We play on the ground and that is my philosophy."
He also had a dig at the Confederation of African Football, saying the organisation never wanted Zambia to represent Africa at the Confederations Cup in Brazil later this year.
"Zambia aren't sexy enough (for CAF)," he said.
He added that staging the 2013 Afcon finals so soon after the last one in 2012 revealed that CAF wanted Zambia out.
l See Page 25
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