FANS STONE ZAMBIA FOR SIHLANGU DRAW

MBABANE – Sihlangu’s brave performance in the CHAN decider against Zambia this past weekend reportedly led to turmoil in that country.

Sihlangu came from two goals down to force a 2-all draw in last Saturday’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) final round second leg qualifier in Lusaka.
Even though the result could not earn Eswatini a spot in the CHAN finals to be staged in Cameroon next year following a 3-2 aggregate loss; it was enough to cause disorder at the Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, where the games was played. 

The home team was literally attacked by the home fans.  This is according to media reports in Zambia, which have also been confirmed by the Eswatini delegation.
“The fans looked far from pleased after a mediocre performance from the ‘Chipolopolo’.

anger

“Fans threw whatever they could lay their hands on to vent their anger on the players. An artificial tunnel had to be brought in to protect the players and officials to sneak off the pitch,” reported the Times of Zambia in a report which had a headline, ‘Back to stone age.’

The irate fans felt their team should have defended better in the game and they should have not allowed Sihlangu to claw back into the match. It took the match stewards, the Zambia Police and Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) officials to help the team and the technical bench into the dummy tunnel to secure their safety heading to the dressing room.

Zambia stand-in coach Aggrey Chiyangi was quoted by the Zambian media questioning the fans’ behaviour.
 “To be honest with you, people that were booing, they should sit down and reflect and ask themselves why did we do that. Yes, the team didn’t do well but why go to that extent? So if you kill that team, are you going to have another team?  That’s the question fans should ask themselves,” said Chiyangi.

Leader of Eswatini delegation, Thulani ‘Little Known’ Mavuso, confirmed the attacks, but stressed that they were strictly directed at the Zambians.
“For us, it was the opposite, as the fans cheered both the Sihlangu players and the coach.
“We safely left the venue. We’re safely back home,” said Mavuso.

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