By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA national team coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic has described group B of the 2021 -Cosafa Cup were Zambia has been drawn against Malawi, Madagascar and Comoros as a tough group.
In an interview, “Micho” said the group is tough because Zambia will face teams which qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations.
He said defending the Cosafa title will not be an easy task for the Chipolopolo who will compete to protect their status as a powerhouse in Southern Africa.
“Micho” said the Chipolopolo technical bench would use the Cosafa to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers set to kick off in September.
“We want to use the Cosafa as a bridge towards the World Cup qualifiers starting in September. We are in a tough competitive group taking into consideration the fact that Malawi qualified for the Afcon, Comoros has qualified for the Afcon and Madagascar where quarter finalists at the last Afcon,” said “Micho.”
“We are looking to make a comprehensive training programme that will enable us to be ready for the Cosafa. It will not be a walk in the park because we are having great great opponents that are experienced.”
“Micho” said he would use the Cosafa tournament to give players who were not part of the West African tour the opportunity to fight for places in a competitive team to compete in World Cup qualifiers in September.
Meanwhile, Cosafa Cup hosts South Africa are in Group A alongside Lesotho, Eswatini and Botswana.
Group C has guests Senegal, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia.
The top team in each group, as well as the best second-placed finisher, will advance to the semifinals of the 12-team tournament which runs from July 7 to July 18 in Port Elizabeth.
