By MUKWIMA CHILALA
THE Zambia national soccer team are this evening looking to make it to the semifinals of the ongoing Confederation of African Nations (CHAN) tournament as they take on defending champions Morocco.
And team doctor George Phiri has declared a clean bill of health for the Chipolopolo with an exception of midfielder Bruce Musakanya and defender Zachariah Chilongoshi who will miss the match due to injuries.
Morocco go into this match as the favourites as they are not only the defending champions but have a superior head to head statistic in all the games played between the two sides. The two sides have played each other 17 times with Morocco having won nine games with Zambia only winning six and drawing twice.
Zambia will be looking for their second semifinal berth having made it to the last four of the inaugural competition in 2009 in which they were eliminated while Morocco are the current champions having won it on home soil three years ago.
And Chipolopolo coach Milutin “Micho” Sredejovic has expressed confidence his charges will emerge victorious despite being regarded as the underdogs.
“Micho” notes that defending although Morocco are tagged as favourites, but his charges will put in their best to win the match. “With all due respect to Morocco, they are a top team, they are favourites, they are defending champions and whatsoever. Let them take the role of the favourites, we are who we are, we shall come with the same approach, giving our best,” said “Micho” said ahead of today’s game.
