TotalCHAN2020: Zambian Coach, Micho Sredojevic: “We learned the lesson the hard way
Morocco recorded a convincing 3-1-victory against Zambia at the quarter-finals of the Total CHAN Cameroon 2020 at the Reunification Stadium in Douala.
It was not only a moment of mixed fortunes for the teams but one of mixed feelings for the coaches too: A victory and joy for Morocco coach L’Houssain Ammouta; a defeat and disappointment for Zambia coach Micho Sredojevic.
During the post-match press conference coach Ammouta said he was deeply satisfied with the performance of his team, particularly during the first-half of the game.
He expressed much respect for the Chipolopolo of Zambia and congratulated the coach for bringing the team this far in such a tough tournament.
He said his focus was now turned towards the game against Cameroon, which he described as another tough assignment.
On his part, coach Micho Sredojevic was quick to concede Morocco were the better side in the clash.
He declared it was difficult in every phase of the game:
“We played against a very competitive team that has [the experience of] thousands of international matches, counting between the players of the team.
We came here to learn a lesson; and we learned it the hard way.
You cannot be playing against a very good team like Morocco and give them such an advantage within the first ten minutes of the game: an advantage of through-balls when, while you were working on the game, you knew through-balls are one of the most dangerous aspects of their game.
You give away a second goal from a set-piece; and then one of your players gets a red-card.
What else could be worse for a coach? With all this you just have to minimize the damage; reshape the team into a 3-4-2 formation in the second-half; and it is not easy playing with such a diminished team against technically sound and very competitive players like those of Morocco.
It was a game of two halves: the first half we lost 3-zero; the second half we won one-zero. Nevertheless, I am happy because we gave everything but unfortunately our best was not able to give us a good result.”
David Mbua Evelle Kool
