By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA national team coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic has hailed the Chipolopolo players for fighting back to beat South Africa 2-1 at their home ground.
And Russia-based Chipolopolo striker Evans Kangwa who features for Arsenal Tula said Zambia’s three friendly matches against Malawi Kenya and South Africa presented a great opportunity for the team to learn a lot ahead of the crucial matches in the CHAN and the AFCON Qualifiers.
Zambia has played three international matches during the FIFA window beating Malawi 1-0, losing 2-1 to Kenya before coming from behind to beat Bafana Bafana 2-1 thanks to second half goals from Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba and Chaniza Zulu.
“Micho” said fighting back to beat South Africa 2-1 at their home ground after defeat in Kenya is a big boost as the Chipolopolo prepares for the crucial AFCON qualifiers and the CHAN tournament.
“I need to give credit to the players that came from the bench and won the game for us. Great team spirit for us after being a punching bag in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and missing two Africa Cup of Nations in 2017 and 2019.”
Micho said his task is to make sure that the Chipolopolo is ready for November’s back to back fixtures against Botswana and to also build a strong squad for the Cameroon 2021 CHAN in January.
“After losing two matches in the AFCON qualifiers, we are going back and what a better way of boosting our confidence than beating South Africa with top class individuals, top class team? This is a good injection of motivation before the Africa Cup qualifiers against Botswana in November,” said “Micho.”
Meanwhile, Kangwa said coming from behind to beat South Africa showed that the players can work together to achieve success for the nation.
Kangwa said the three games have helped the team to assess where they need to improve as they prepare for the CHAN and AFCON qualifiers.
And striker Lubambo Musonda who plays for Polish Ekstraklasa club Śląsk Wrocław said it was a good experience coming to represent the country despite the numerous challenges due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Musonda said the friendly matches presented coach “Micho” an insight on what each individual player is able to offer to the national team.
‘MICHO’ UPBEAT
