Wedson Nyirenda says he is proud of his charges despite drawing 2-2 at home against Cameroon in both sides final 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B qualifier on November 11 in Ndola.
“I think we have a team in place, we have a team that we have just built. A team that wasn’t given a chance after the draws were made, but looking at what the team has done I think I am proud of the boys,” Nyirenda said.
But Nyirenda admitted that there was some still some work to do defensively that was evident against Cameroon where injured defensive midfielder Kondwani Mtonga’s absence was felt.
Cameroon snatched a late equaliser to deny Zambia its first competitive win over The Indomitable Lions since 1990.
However, the result saw Zambia finish a respectable 2nd in Group B on 8 points, one more than Africa’s record holding FIFA World Cup campaigners Cameroon who finished third on 7 points.
Nigeria won the group on 14 points while Algeria finished bottom on 2 points.
Zambia was the only team in Group B never to have qualified to the FIFA World Cup.
Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria have seven, six and four FIFA World Cup outings respectively.
Zambia won two games in Group B after recording 3-1 and 1-0 away victories against Algeria but lost 2-1 at home and 1-0 against Nigeria.
Chipolopolo drew 1-1 on the road in Cameroon and 2-2 in Ndola against the defending AFCON champions.