U23 National team coach Beston Chambeshi has attributed his team’s lacklustre performance in a narrow win against Congo Brazzaville on Wednesday to fatigue.

And Chambeshi said Zambia stand a better chance of qualifying to the U23 AFCON as both teams will be playing an open match to ensure that they score.

Speaking during a post-match press conference, Chambeshi said the mid-week qualifying match was more of a warm up for Chipolopolo players plying their trade overseas adding that Zambia would play better in the second leg.

“The boys trained very well and we are sure, the way we have to go with our preparations, me and my technical bench we were happy with what they had to put in. We had our players who were abroad that came in on Monday, so they didn’t have enough time to come out from their fatigue caused by the travelling. So, I have seen now that for them this was a good warm-up and we expect a good game when we play away from home. I think there will be something for us in the second leg because both team’s will go and attack. I know that they will be looking for a goal so there is no team which is going to defence. They will attack and we want to attack also,” Chambeshi said.

“I think I cannot accept that Congo is just a team from the streets. I think they have professionals in that team and they put up a good (performance) and we cannot say we played a weak team. They are a strong side and they added more numbers in defence because they wanted a draw. And I believe and trust in my team, these are the boys that can do wonders.”

The Chipoloplo U23 won beat their opponents by two goals to one courtesy of a Fashion Sakala brace.