WE'RE GAME FOR ALGERIA

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 11:10:22 +0000

…Skipper Mweene says there is no excuse for not winning at home

By Grace Chaile Lesoetsa

THE team will have no excuse to lose at home against Algeria, we need to get the job done at all cost, says Chipolopolo skipper Kennedy Mweene.

Speaking in an interview after a training session at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka yesterday ahead of Saturday’s encounter against the Fennec Foxes of Algeria, Mweene said Zambia was still in contention for the 2018 Russia World Cup qualification.

He said the only result that would be acceptable at National Heroes Stadium was a win and nothing else.

“I know it will not be an easy task but we need to get the job done here and look for a positive result away in Algeria. I still believe we have a chance to qualify for the World Cup,” he said.

Mweene said the team was not intimidated by Algerian stars in the likes of Riyad Mahrez.

“The likes of Mahrez doesn’t send shivers, the game is played 11 against 11, so we can handle them,” he said.

And commenting on the inclusion of the under-20 players in the senior team, Mweene said being in the national team was not about age but performance.

He said the young players have the energy and just have to work hard to get a final team slot.

Meanwhile, Austria-based midfielder Enock Mwepu said he will put in the best in training to prove to the coach that his call-up was not a mistake.

“I am excited to be part of the senior squad being my first call up. The morale is high in camp and I will work hard in training,” Mwepu.

Coach Wedson Nyirenda said he will approach the Arabs with a lot of caution as they were not a team to underestimate.

“It will not be an easy engagement, they are a big team but we do not fear them. We only have a week in which to blend the team but I feel it will be enough to groom them to that standard we want,” Nyirenda said.

And on Lusaka Dynamos midfielder Fwayo Tembo’s decision to reject the national call up, Nyirenda said he had enough players that could fill up the player’s position so his decision was not a setback on the team.

A total of 26 players reported for yesterday’s training session which include foreign -based Rodrick Kabwe and Chisamba Lungu .

Striker Fashion Sakala who scored a brace for his side Spartak Moscow on Sunday was expected to join the squad last evening while Emmanuel Banda and Stoppila Sunzu are expected to arrive today.