adminthey lost 2-1 to Egypt in a World Cup qualifier.
Two goals by Boniface Mwape helped Zambia to a 2-0 victory in a friendly at Nkoloma Stadium on Sunday and this marked the first time that Pagels has led a pack of home-based players only.
The match here in Lusaka also marked the first time that his team has failed to score a goal.
The German coach emphasises on building his attack from the goalkeeper to the defenders who then feed to midfielders and strikers but the style failed badly on Sunday as the Warriors spent the whole afternoon fending off attacks than creating chances.
Now Pagels believes he needs another international friendly to get a better picture of his project, especially with the home-based players.
Zimbabwe will play Malawi on May 25 if all goes according to plan.
“We want to play Malawi at the end of next month for another match and maybe we could use other players for assessment.
“We have to go into camp with a number of other new players whom we will identify.
“That will be another chance to try new players and this could be the final game to give us strong team for Cosafa and Chan squads,” said Pagels.
Pagels believes his defence did well to minimise the damage against the Zambians but his team clearly lacked the cutting edge.
“I read on the internet that Zambia had to select from players from over 162 who came for trials. But it’s different from Zimbabwe where we only had two days to work with the players and that makes it difficult to identify and come up with a good team.
“The Zambian side had very strong players and they were really big players like number seven (Alex Ngonga) whom I think has a bright future,” said Pagels.
Pagels said he was hoping for an early goal but the hosts kept them defending instead of attacking.
“We wanted to attack but Zambia did the same and attacked pretty early and then we tried to build up from the back but had problems when it comes to finishing up front.
“Now we need to work on that and improve,” he said.
Chicken Inn skipper Felix Chindungwe was given a torrid time by the Nchanga Rangers duo of Alex Ngonga and Mwape.
“It was my first time to play in the national team and I just wanted to give my best for team. At times I nearly conceded penalties but it was all in the spirit of getting a good result.
“We tried our best but it was not our day unfortunately because we are still getting to know each other,” said Chindungwe.
Zambian coach Harve Renard praised his players for a good performance.
“We have the Cosafa coming in June and it will be a chance for the locally based players to shine here at home.
“For now I am very happy because I saw a lot of skill and talent,” he said.
The Frenchman said he did not have any hard feelings towards the match officials who turned down the Zambians’ penalty appeals.
“The referees can make mistakes as human beings but the most important thing was that this was a friendly match and it was played in the true spirit.
“It was very important to show our brothers who perished that they are still in our hearts.
“So for me the appeals for penalties are not big issues but that we enjoyed the match,” said Renard.
Meanwhile, families of the victims of the Gabonese air disaster on Sunday demanded a full report of what happened on the tragic flight 20 years ago.
A spokesperson for the families Martin Mutale said the Zambian government should release the report before the matter can be put to rest.
Mutale, whose brother Kelvin died in that crash, made the remarks as the families laid wreaths at the graves of the 31 people buried at Independence Stadium.
The families also claimed that they were being neglected by the Football Association of Zambia.
On Sunday, they took direct control of the gates and plan to share the proceeds from the match against Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter