We were lucky to win Cosafa Cup – Herve

ZAMBIA coach Herve Renard admitted yesterday that Chipolopolo were lucky to defeat Zimbabwe in the Cosafa Cup final on Saturday.

Early and late goals from Alex N’gonga and Kabiso Chongo off free-kicks earned hosts a 2-0 victory in mining city Ndola. But had Zimbabwe matched superb build-up play with more clinical finishing, the Warriors could have claimed a record-extending fifth title.

Instead, Zambia achieved a record-equalling fourth title in the southern Africa national team championship, and a first in seven years.

“We did not play well, but the most important thing in a final is to win, and that is what we did,” France-born Renard told reporters.

“There were not enough ‘fresh legs’ in the Zambian team, and we were lucky to survive and collect the trophy. I would like to congratulate Zimbabwe – they looked the better team in the decider even though we won it.”

Renard said the midweek penalty shootout semifinal victory over South Africa after 120 gruelling, goalless minutes took a heavy toll on his charges. “We fought very hard against South Africa to win on penalties, and you could see the impact it had on us in the final.

The Cosafa Cup was the second trophy won by Renard after Zambia lift the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

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