Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has protested against a late penalty that cost his country a ticket to the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).
South Africa needed a contentious stoppage-time penalty to secure a 1-0 victory over Zambia on Monday.
Martha Tembo was adjudged to have fouled Jermaine Seoposenwe on the edge of the penalty box. But it appears that Tembo had blocked an attempted pass before the momentum of the Banyana Banyana forward took her into the Zambia defender.
The Copper Queens will now face Nigeria in the battle for third place.
President Hichilema called the team after their loss to South Africa and encouraged them to work hard.
“That was a contestable penalty, the goal is a questionable penalty, and I think we should really look into it carefully.
“It was outside the box but you did a fantastic job, you have done a good run up to now, semi-final is good, you qualified to the World Cup (and) we are proud of you and on behalf of all Zambians we are proud of you, feel happy don’t be depressed,” Mr Hichilema said.
“Many people who were watching like us have questions about that penalty but well done, keep the spirits of the girls and the whole team high.
“You are going to the World Cup, we are all behind you, we will do our best as a government and the people of Zambia are behind you, we wish you well.”
Coach Bruce Mwape thanked President Hichilema for taking time to call the team.
He assured him the team will perform well in the third place playoff match scheduled for Friday. BBC News
That’s political interference similar to what he was fighting during his time in the trenches .
There are right structures to fight it e.g football board, ministry of sports etc
Brian Nguvayashe Machingambi it’s the FA that logged a complaint to CAF…he just called the team to encourage them to soldier ahead and focus on the next assignment suffice to say that he expressed his opinion on the penalty decision because the alleged infringement occured outside the 18 area…
Oliver KazangalaleOliver Kazangalale thanks for clarification
Caf President is there for a reason 🤔
That was not a penalty but a 5050 situation kkkkkkk South Africa are being favoured against Tunisia same Tunisian were denied a genuine last minute penalty and to my surprise even when asked to go for clear check Var check the refree refused 😁😁 nonetheless the officiating at this year’s tournament is very poor…
That’s a president who is hands on
Surely that was dubious ,unfair sporting practice 🤦
Donvert Prince Bopoto she didn’t dive but it’s the momentum of the Zambian defender that made her fall. But in my view the defender played the ball first before making contact with the attacker therefore no penalty. I don’t even know why they called the ref to the pitch side monitor because her initial decision was correct
It was a free kick ,nt penalty
He must stay out of politics 🤭🤣
Mordekai Freedom Shumba he must stay out of politics??
Even me I saw that penalty was robbery.it was not a penalty
Kkkkkkk
Ndo bhora racho controversial decisions adds beauty to the beautiful game
Dubious penalty
That refree was given a brown envelope 📨✉️ there is no penalty like that the lady dive into the box but the incident took place out of the box
Oliver Mlambo it was inside the VAR showed that
It’s not about the referee coz at first she waved play on until she was communicated by the VAR official who doubted her decision.
Oliver Mlambo am glad you watched the game to the fullest….such decisions put us in shame a s Africans
Mxotshwa Lever i watching that game live
What is done cannot be undone!
He has a Point, truly behind his concern it was out of the Box
CAF President is from SA
FAZ and Zambian president are two different people iwe Zimbo
Vatokanganwa kuti past Afcon kuti Sikazwe akaita cey, mwana wavo. Kupedza bhora ne86 mins.
Mr president
Dubious penalty
South from quarter finals yakabirira. Tunisia yakanyimwa penalty mu90 yaitove yemachokwadi. Yesterday munhu akange ari out of box yakunzi mutomato plus defender akabvisa bhora munhu akanowira maari
Kudakwashe Bhunu apa muZambian akambokedhwa kugotsi mubox apa free kick ku south Africa mubox.
I was watching that too and I even talk with my wife she was saying it’s a fair penalty whilst I was saying it’s not supposed to be a penalty I also have question about that goal
I was disappointed by the decision of the referee. It was not a penalty
Stop crying you won Cosafa with the boys you can’t make it double with the girls,we have to spread the trophies
Tawona Fainos Mutara kikikikiki…. quiet funny..ww are hurt…..winning is addictive
Oliver Kazangalale Yaa for sure the girls were robbed every eye saw it bro
Uhhhmm ma president ngaite zve economy yenyika, ndosaka vamwe vakungozara kwese kwese nekunovhurwa chibhorani variko, hatichataura mazita asi vanofamba negasho muhuro
I wonder why africans still allow these xenofobik brather killers to participate in african matches. They shukd play in europe not africa. Africa is for africans only.