Zambia tactician Herve Renard commends the choice of tactics employed by Uganda Cranes coach Bobby Williamson in the 2013 African Nations Cup qualifiers on Saturday, although Uganda lost to them on penalties.

"I have no idea what I’d tell Coach Bobby Williamson because this is a heartbreaking defeat for them," Renard told reporters after the game.

"It’s always hard for the team to lose on penalties but we know when it comes to that, we always excel over our opponents," he added, highlighting that his players did their best.

The title holders, Zambia, took twenty penalty kicks before qualifying to defend their African Nations Cup title in South Africa as they advanced 9-8 after losing the second leg of their final round qualifier 1-0 to their hosts in Kampala.

"We tried our best in this match and it is a good thing we are done with qualifiers. It was harsh but the finals are a big tournament and everybody has a chance," Renard concluded.

The Copper Bullets are scheduled to face South Africa in a friendly in November within preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in January.

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