By DIANA MUTAKAFIMBO
Equatorial Guinea 4 Zambia 0
ZAMBIA were yesterday eliminated from the 2014 Canada FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup when they lost to Equatorial Guinea in the first round, return leg in Malabo.
The junior She-polopolo conceded all the four goals in the second half to bow out of the Africa Zone qualifying competition 6-0 on aggregate.
African champions Equatorial Guinea beat Zambia 2-0 in the first leg at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
Zambia, who virtually blew away their chances in the first leg, managed to contain the hosts in the first half but collapsed after the break due to alleged poor officiating.
Coach Charles Bwale, who confirmed the results in an interview from Malabo yesterday, said the game was destined for a stalemate until Equatorial Guinea were awarded a penalty in the 60th minute.
“With the experience acquired, most girls are destined for greater heights. We played well in the first half and 15 minutes into the second half until when the referee came to their aid and awarded them two penalties and two clear offsides to kill the game. I am proud of these girls,” he said.
The junior She-polopolo’s jolted travel arrangement that saw the squad leave in batches, could also have contributed to the team failing to withstand the hosts pressure in the second half.
Half of the team arrived hours before the game.
The winner of the match will in the next round meet Ghana, who qualified after their opponents Uganda withdrew from the qualifiers.
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