By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA national soccer team coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic says his target is to redeem the Chipolopolo from a disappointing AFCON qualifiers defeat to Botswana as preps for the 2021 Cameron Championship of African Nations resumes.
With the programmes, talent and quality of the players available, the team will represent Zambia in the best possible way at the CHAN tournament in Cameroon, “Micho” said in an interview after the CHAN squad trained at Edwin Imboela yesterday,
“Micho” who has selected a 33-member provisional squad said Zambia will use the CHAN to prepare for do or die Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria and Zimbabwe.
“We are having so many things at stake our supporters have been disappointed with the past results against Botswana and we want to redeem ourselves with a good performance at the CHAN that we are using as a bridge towards the games against Algeria and Zimbabwe which are do or die games for us to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations,” “Micho” said.
“Micho” said that in the quest to make Chipolopolo supporters happy, the technical bench will leave no stone unturned to choose the best players who will be of great value to the country.
“The tournament will not be a walk in the park it will consist of 16 of the best teams on the continent and when we have that in mind we are looking forward to prepare and choose the best players to represent the country in the best way,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sredojevic has excluded players from Nkana, Napsa Stars and Green Eagles who have continental engagements while Power Dynamos players have not been considered in the squad because the side is expected to fulfil all outstanding fixtures in the league.
The Chipolopolo technical bench has also roped in players from the junior team, including under-17 wonder kids, Joseph Sabobo Banda, Golden Mafwenta and Martin Njobvu.
“Micho” has also invited FAZ Super Division top scorer Moses Phiri and Italy-based Abel Kanyamuna, who is on the books of the Cagliari under-19 for the team set to break for Christmas before regrouping on Saturday.
On Monday, the team will play an All Stars versus the rest match at Nkoloma Stadium.
Fans will vote by sending their best XI to 333 on MTN with the surname and initial for the forename of their preferred players.
“We want to see that the players we have chosen are the best players to go and not be relax thinking that they have guaranteed places. Everyone needs to fight for his place to earn and deserve not to be gifted,” said “Micho.”
Zambia is paired alongside Guinea, Namibia and Tanzania in Group D of the CHAN slated to run from January 16 to February 10, 2021 in Cameroon.
