Zambia coach Chisi Mbewe was left frustrated and disappointed after his side slipped to a 2-1 loss to Tunisia in their final TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations group game on Monday to bow out of the competition.

Zambia needed a win to keep their hopes alive but join COSAFA rivals Mozambique in an early exit from the continental competition, which also ends their hopes of reaching the Under-20 World Cup.

“The result is frustrating and disappointing for us. We allowed Tunisia to score twice against us and put ourselves under pressure,” Mbewe said.

“We tried to focus on scoring from set-pieces but the opposite happened as we conceded from a set-piece.”

But Mbewe believes the experience gained at the competition will hold them in good stead.

“We have players who are qualified to play for the Chipolopolo regardless of today’s performance,” he said.