adminThe German coach said the better team on the day lost the match and felt the Zambians, who were beaten 1-3 by Zimbabwe in the last Cosafa Cup final in Harare four years ago, were also given a helping hand by the match officials.
Pagels is set to leave Warriors with his contract expiring at the end of the month and will return to Germany to coach school kids.
Zimbabwe played the better football, after they had settled, but by then they had already conceded and despite having the best player on the day, midfielder Devon Chafa, they could not find a way back.
“Zambia didn’t deserve to win the title. If anyone says Zambia deserved to win then I would quit football,” Pagels said.
“We enjoyed the possession but wasted out chances infront of goal and that has been our main undoing. As for Zambia you saw their players were down with cramp towards the end of the match,”
He also criticised the officiating that saw his side protest for what looked like a penalty in the stoppage time that resulted to Chafa being booked.
“I’m not happy with the officiating, the referee made some calls that are wanting. For instance, we deserved a penalty in the stoppage time, it was stone wall penalty but he didn’t award us as for Zambia coach Herve Renard, his behaviour on the pitch warranted a sending off to the terraces, that didn’t happen either.”
Zambia midfielder Mukuka Mulenga was voted the best player at the 15-day tournament and compatriot Danny Munyau the best goalkeeper.
Botswana striker Jerome Ramatlhakwane won the Golden Boot award for leading scorer with four goals, including a hat-trick against Lesotho.
South Africa finished third behind Zambia and Zimbabwe after fighting back to defeat giantkillers Lesotho 2-1 with Hlompho Kekana hitting the match-winner. — SuperSport/AFP.
Online Reporter