Zambian Champions Red Arrows football club have been eliminated from the 2022 CAF Champions League competition in the preliminary round by Angolan side Primeiro de Agosto via a 2-1 aggregate score line after a one-all draw in the second leg fixture played in Angola on Sunday.
The Airmen lost 0-1 in the first leg fixture at the Heroes National Stadium to give the Angolan side an aggregate goal advantage as they headed into yesterday’s match.
However, despite Arrows having dominated play and scored first in the 6th minute through striker Ricky Banda, they were not clinical enough to overturn the aggregate scoreline after missing several chances before getting punished with an equalizer in the 14th minute by Jiresse, which secured qualification to the next round of the continental inter-club competition for the home side.
Speaking during a post-match interview, Arrows head coach Chisi Mbewe expressed disappointment with the results. He said the team aimed for a win but football being a game of chance, the home team carried the day and they didn’t get the desired results.
“It’s a painful result being eliminated from the Champions League competition. The team put up a good fight and created a lot of chances but unfortunately, the boys couldn’t convert those chances into goals.” He said.
“We will now shift focus to the domestic league and look to work on converting our chances being created so that we score more goals and avoid conceding early goals.”
Meanwhile, Premiro de Agosto coach Philipe Nzanza expressed his excitement that his team managed to qualify for the next round of the Champions League despite facing a good team like Arrows who are the reigning Zambian Super League champions.
“The game was tough but we made sure we scored when we played away and pushed for a draw at home to qualify to the next round. I am happy we have made it through to the next round despite facing a good team like Red Arrows” He said.
Agosto will now face Tanzanian giants Simba Sporting Club in the final round of the qualifiers for the Caf Champions League group stages.
With the Zambian Champions Red Arrows FC now eliminated from the competition, Zambia’s quest to return to the CAF top 12 ranked leagues in Africa and reclaim the privilege of having four clubs in continental competitions, two in the CAF Confederations Cup and Champions League respectively, shall remain a nightmare.
The Zambian Super League lost the privilege of having four clubs in the CAF interclub competitions last season due to a drop in the CAF ranking following poor performances by the country’s envoys in competitions as the League dropped out of the top 12 ranked African Leagues.
However, Zesco United is now the only team representing Zambia in the CAF Confederation competition and all eyes will be on them to put up a good fight and fly the Zambian flag high on the continent when they face South Africa’s Royal AM in the second preliminary round.
