‘We’ll be game for AFCON’

…Captain Lubambo Musonda and Frederick Mulambya express confidence 

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

WITH exactly five days to go before the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON kick off in Ivory Coast, the Zambia mational soccer team have continued to nurture their AFCON dream with adequate preps in the city of Taif in Saudi Arabia.

Coach Avram Grant and his charges have been hard at work since touching down on Wednesday and are set to conclude their camp with an international friendly match against Cameroon tomorrow in Jeddah. 

The Chipolopolo who missed the last three editions of the AFCON will compete in Group F consisting of Morocco, Congo DR and Tanzania. 

In an interview with FAZ Media, captain Lubambo Musonda said preparations for the AFCON are progressing well and the players are looking forward to play Cameroon tomorrow to assess their progress. 

“We will be ready for the first AFCON game. It will not be easy playing against Congo DR, it’s always tough. It’s like a local derby for us so we will make sure we prepare adequately to put up a good fight,” Musonda said. 

Meanwhile, midfielder Frederick Mulambya, who was one of the shocking inclusions in the 27-member squad selected by Grant said Group F may be tough on paper but the Chipolopolo have what it takes to bring the title home. 

“Our group is tough yes on paper, it is a very tough group but I know the guys and I know that we will surely do better. Zambians should just believe in us. We will surely do it and bring the cup home,” the Power Dynamos midfielder said. 

Mulambya said he was happy to have made the cut for the squad selected to compete at the AFCON in Ivory Coast. 

“The camp is going ok. The guys are welcoming and it feels great. We have a game against Cameroon which is important because it will help us to know the areas where we are lacking,” Mulambya said.  

After tomorrow’s friendly against Cameroon, the Chipolopolo will then head to San Pedro to kickstart their AFCON expedition with the opening match on January 17 against Congo DR before taking on Tanzania two days later at the Laurent Pokou Stadium.

Zambia will conclude its Group F matches against the Atlas Lions on January 24.