Zambian coach Herve Renard has attributed his side 2-1 defeat to Ghana at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi to lack of belief.
Zambia, requiring a win to progress to the final round of the qualifiers for the Brazil 2014 World Cup lost after letting in a goal in each half and Renard insists his charges lack of belief in the first half blew their chances.
Renard told GNA Sports in a post match interview "It is such a shame that we did not believe enough in the first half. That will have been the turning point. And when we began believing in the second half, things got a lot difficult and it was almost too late.
"We are very disappointed but we also know that we just played against Ghana. Ghana is not a small team and the quality has always been there.
"What we needed was a win to go through because we really wanted to be at the World Cup too. We knew it will be difficult but we were very determined. I congratulate Ghana for their progress and wish them well."
A goal in each half from Abdul Majeed Warris and Kwadwo Asamoah put Ghana on course for victory before Nathan Sinkala grabbed a consolation for the visitors in the closing stages.
The win takes the Black Stars� tally to 15 points, four more than the Chipolopolos, to move two games within a place of next year�s Mundial in Brazil.
The Zambian fought well but could only succeed in reducing the deficit through Nathan Sinkala who riffled in from a Rainford Kalaba corner-kick.
Ghana joins the likes of Cote d�Ivoire, Egypt and Algeria to confirm their places for the playoff. The draw will take place in Luxor, Egypt next week.
Source: GNA
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