BLOEMFONTEIN — Zimbabwe coach Ian Gorowa has credited Libya’s resistance and ability to frustrate his Warriors which saw Javier Clemente’s side reach the Chan final via a penalty shoot-out.
Gorowa’s side was by far the better side on the evening in Bloemfontein, but failed to produce anything from their chances across the 120 minutes of goalless semifinal action.
“Congratulations to Libya for making the final and they should be saluted for this,” said the coach after the 5-4 defeat.
“It’s disappointing to lose the way we did tonight. We dominated possession and had a few clear cut chances, but credit goes to Libya for slowing down the game to their advantage.”
Goalkeeper Mohammed Nashnush frustrated the Warriors with his display in between the posts before going on to score the decisive spot-kick which put Libya into Saturday’s final.
“They disrupted us and defended well enough to stop us from scoring,” continued Gorowa.
“Our solid defence, which has conceded only one goal so far in this competition, held on well and Libya hardly threatened our goal.
“We did practice penalties and always do, but in a match situation the pressure is different and you just can never tell the outcome.”
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Libya coach Javier Clemente voiced his pleasure in seeing Libya progress to the final of the Chan finals. The Mediterranean Knights progressed into the final of the 2014 Chan tournament following a dull goalless 90 minutes which was preceded by another uneventful 30 minutes of extra-time.
Libya won the lottery penalty shootout 5-4 with goalkeeper Nashnush scoring the decisive spot kick to send the debutants into the final.
“I am very happy that we have reached the final, but first l want to congratulate Zimbabwe who were the better team tonight and did not give us a chance to play our game,” Clemente said after the game.
This team remained believing they could get something out of the match and as often is the case with football we managed to win the penalty shoot-out.
“Zimbabwe is a good side and their striker number 19 (Simba Sithole) is a fine player as is number 10 (Kudakwashe Mahachi), 12 (Ali Sadiki) and 13 (Peter Moyo).
“I must compliment my young side for showing resilience all the way and now we play in the final.” — MTN Football
