By SANDRA MWILA –
ZAMBIA Under-20 assistant coach Bilton Musonda has said the 2-2 draw against Club Deportivo Marino has given the technical bench some homework ahead of the World Cup finals that starts on May 20 in South Korea.
The practice match played on Friday evening saw Zambia concede as early as the third minute but striker Fashion Sakala managed to equalise in the 26th minute.
Zambia were caught still celebrating the leveller as Deportivo managed to score another goal shortly after Sakala’s goal as the Beston Chambeshi side went into the break trailing 2-1.
Conlyde Luchanga seems to have rediscovered his scoring prowess as he equalised as the two sides battled to end the tie in a draw.
Musonda said their opponents gave them a good test and would have to work on their mistakes in the remaining six days before they face Portugal.
“The game has given the technical bench something to think about though I am happy that the boys were able to fight back when they conceded,” Musonda said.
He said the technical bench used most players from the B side to give them an opportunity to prove their capabilities.
“We made a number of changes with the starting line up to try and see how other players can perform and of course this was the objective of the friendly game,” Musonda said.
And Enock Mwepu, who watched from the bench, claimed his teammates were relaxed and did not fight hard.
Mwepu said Deportivo Marino was a strong side but his team gave them enough room allowing them to score goals.
“We didn’t start well, we gave them enough space and our communication and organisation was bad,” Mwepu said.
Meanwhile, Football Association of Zambia communication manager Desmond Katongo said the team would play its last preparatory friendly tomorrow against Las Palmas.
Katongo said the team would be expected to leave Spain on Tuesday and should be in the battle zone on May 17.
He added that striker Patson Daka was expected to arrive yesterday from his club in Austria.