Zesco United head coach Mathews Ndhlovu has hit back at the criticism surrounding the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium surface, insisting that Kaizer Chiefs coach Ben Youssef Khalid is merely searching for excuses.
Despite securing a crucial 1-0 away win over Zesco United, Ben Youssef has bemoaned the state of the pitch, stressing his outfit struggled to play their game at the venue.
But Ndhlovu has swiftly downplayed Ben Youssef Khalid’s criticism, saying, “I think it is how you understand whatever pitch he was playing into, because at this stage where we are you are challenged at any pitch,” he said post-match, as per SABC1.
“For them, it that was their excuse, we won’t even complain when we travel to their stadium. But football is played on the pitch. Unfortunately he came out like that.
“To us, we have been training on the same pitch. The result shouldn’t determine that, we play on the same pitch.
“We made a mistake, they utilized it. We couldn’t clear, they scored. Does the pitch favor mistakes? It’s how you apply yourselves.”
After three matches, Al Masry sit top of their group with seven points, followed by Zamalek (5 points), while Kaizer Chiefs occupies third position with four points. Zesco United are fourth on the table without a point.
The Zambian outfit will travel to South African for the fourth round fixture against Kaizer Chiefs this weekend.
