The message was to keep playing - Andrea Cristoforetti

Zambia produced a scintillating second half performance to beat Ghana 5-2 in the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON Morocco 2024 opener and head coach Andrea Cristoforetti revealed his message was to keep on playing.

Chipolopolo came from a goal down to beat Philip Boakye’s team who are returning to the quadrennial tournament for the first time in 28 years.

The former South Africa coach said despite missing most of their chances in the first half he told his charges to keep playing and create more opportunities.

“We did create opportunities and the message to the boys was not to stop them playing,” Andrea said.

“When you have a good number of chances and the ball doesn't go in, you might force balls in a way that is too dangerous and it happened a few times so the message was to focus on playing.”

The experienced coach has a new generation of Zambian players, the majority of whom are playing their first international competition.

“Most of my players this was their first international competition, a real one, so I was expecting a little bit of emotional aspects to be involved,” said the visibly relieved Cristoforetti.

Zambia enjoyed a large share of the possession but failed to convert most of their chances in the first period at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall in the Moroccan capital.

“The truth is we created a lot of chances and we didn't finalise them and we made some mistakes that are not acceptable in international competitions so it's good that we have a win for sure.

“Overall I am very happy for the transitions we made and with the chances we created to have to score.Tactically we could have been a little bit better but again starting with three points at least will give morale to the guys and we prepare for the game against Angola,” he concluded.

Ghana coach Philip Boakye rued the lack of concentration by his team against the composed Zambians. 

“We started well and then we lost concentration which allowed Zambia to come into the game,” Boakye said.

“Zambia played a very good game and we have seen some tactics and we are going to work on our finishing.

“I think  it was a lack of concentration but we will work on it and improve for our second match. Our boys did well but it was the lack of concentration and we are going to work on it for our second match,” he concluded.

The Black Stars will face hosts Morocco in their next fixture while Zambia have a date with Angola on Saturday, 13 April.