By GWEN CHIPASULA –
AN irregularity might see Zambia miss out on competing at the 2016 Africa Futsal Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.
This was after Zambia lost 5-4 to their hosts Equatorial Guinea in a return match on Sunday night after 40 minutes of play having won the first leg 3-2 in Lusaka as the two sides tied 7-all after regulation time of the two-legged clash.
The aggregate draw meant that Zambia had qualified to the finals by virtue of having scored four away goals, but the match officials ordered for extra time to be played with Equatorial Guinea going on to win 7-5.
“The matches are organised by direct knockout, are played home and away. In this case, the team that shall have a higher number of goals in the two matches shall be qualified to the next round of the competition.
“If at the end of regular time of the second match the team which will have scored the greatest number of away goals shall be qualified to the next round of the competition.
“If the number of away goals is the same or if the results of the matches are nil, the winner shall be determined by taking of kicks from the penalty mark carried out by each team in compliance with the laws of the game of futsal,” reads Article 12 of the CAF qualifying rules.
This abnormality has prompted the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to write a letter of protest to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) demanding for full-time results.

. MWANZA

FAZ club licensing manager Erick Mwanza said in an interview yesterday that the association had since written to CAF to protest and demand for results for full time.
Mwanza said Zambia had qualified just after the game ended and that there was no reason for the officials to have forced the teams to play extra time as that was against the rules of the game.
“Zambia losing 5-4 meant that from the two games played, the final results were supposed to be 1-1, meaning Zambia had scored more away goals but sadly the officials had to force extra time on the game which wasn’t fair.
“This is why we have written to CAF demanding for the full-time results because as far as we are concerned, Zambia has qualified,” he said.
Chipolopolo defender Adrian Chama scored a brace as Robby Phiri and Boniface Njobvu contributed a goal apiece.
FAZ communications manager Nkweto Tembwe said the players deserved some commendation because they did well against a tough team with players who play in Europe.