VISION SPORT NEW VISION, Monday February 2, 2015 59 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 2015 Bwalya wants the Cranes at Robbed Nations Cup Tunisia believe they were cheated BATA the referee would be up to the two weeks we have the job. been here, and that has A livid Georges Leekens “He was not. It is as simple nothing to do with had to hold back his emo- as that. It’s a shame.” Equatorial Guinea. tions on Saturday after Furious Tunisia players tried “It is not just this seeing his Tunisia side to attack the referee at the match. We have had bow out of the Africa Cup end of the game, and Leekens two penalties given of Nations in controversial added: “I am having to hold against us and there circumstances to hosts back my emotions, but this is were two that we Equatorial Guinea. not acceptable and it is not should have had. The Carthage Eagles were a about the players. It is about goal up in Bata and heading what happened in the game. Equatorial through to the semi-finals “Everyone makes mistakes. Guinea boss when Mauritian referee This one was a big one.” keeps silent Kalusha Bwalya Rajindraparsad Seechurn Tunisia defender Hamza Esteban Becker awarded the hosts a dubious Mathlouthi was at the centre refused to get By K. Muwanga penalty in injury time. of the penalty storm after into a debate Javier Balboa converted being penalised for a foul on about the refer- Former Zambian from the spot and then netted Ivan Bolado inside the area. ee after his great and CAF a wonderful free-kick in extra However, Leekens insisted Equatorial executive com- time to take Equatorial that Mathlouthi had “not Guinea side beat mittee member Ka- Guinea through 2-1. even touched” his opponent. Tunisia 2-1 after lusha Bwalya wants “It is difficult to accept the “I must protect my players extra time in a con- Uganda Cranes to re- decision of the referee. This and protect football. I have toversial Africa Cup AFCON results turn to the Africa Cup victory was certainly not mer- been a coach for 30 years of Nations quarter- of Nations (AFCON) ited, not in this way. We were and have experienced a lot of final on Saturday. Tunisia 1 - 2 Eq. Guinea final after more than the better team,” raged things and worked abroad, The tournament hosts Congo 2 - 4 DR Congo 37 years of waiting. Leekens. but we can’t accept that. trailed heading into Bwalya, currently at “This was too bad for foot- “The free-kick, ok, but the injury time in Bata, the AFCON in ball and Tunisia didn’t penalty is unacceptable. only to win a soft Equatorial Guinea, deserve this. “Everyone laughed. I penalty for a foul applauded FUFA for “The result was forced. They couldn’t believe my eyes. on Ivan Bolado by organising the just con- were at home, and I said yes- “We have not been treated Hamza cluded soccer sympo- terday (Friday) that I hoped as we should have been in Mathlouthi. Tunisia’s midfielder Ferjani Sassi reacts after the game sium that was intended to map away forward for Ugandan football. “Magogo is my friend and we had a chat recently and he told me Soccer fans reap big from AFCON predict and win competition about the symposium which made me happy because it’s the way to go. If you have all stake holders together, then it’s just a matter of time,” said Bwalya. “It’s long time I know and it’s painful but it will take team work and government support. If your government is will- ing to support football, you can even host the tournament and your players will not have to go through the pain of qualification.” Bwalya believes that it will not be long before the Cranes to qualify for AFCON. He revealed that he grew up admiring Cranes for their success in CECAFA. “I grew up admiring the Uganda Cranes, it's the same today I just want to see them at any tournament in Africa because they have great potential. Recently they shocked everyone dur- ing the just concluded Pepsi Brand Executive Tracy Kakuru (right) hands over prizes to the first winners of the Pepsi AFCON Challenge at the Vision Group Head Offices. The CHAN tournament that competition is conducted by New Vision and Bukedde through the 8338 SMS platform. From left: Yudaya Nansubuga, Francis Ozele, Noah Kahangire, was hosted in South Tadeo Kasibante, Alex Ssentamu. The competition continues until the tournament comes to an end this Sunday February 8. Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo Africa.”