By MICHAEL MIYOBA
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) says preparations will be key for the Chipolopolo to succeed at the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations slated for January 2024 in Ivory Coast.
Zambia will compete in Group F alongside neighboring Congo DR and Tanzania as well as Morocco at the AFCON which will feature a total of 24 nations.
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga described the draws as fair adding that there was never going to be an easy draw for any team.
“Overall, the draw is fair but will require adequate preparations to amount to a successful tournament. The work has already begun with the Chipolopolo utilizing the FIFA window by playing two international friendly matches,” Kamanga said.
“Coach Avram Grant and his troops succumbed to 1-0 loss to Egypt at the Abu Zayed Stadium in the United Arab Emirates while the final match will be played tomorrow (today) against Uganda. These matches are meant to help the technical bench prepare for the assignments ahead,” the FAZ chief stated.
Kamanga sated that the association had a team from Zambia having a look at the situation on the ground in San Pedro where Group F will be based.
Kamanga said the association has a sense of what needs to be done to ensure that the team settles well in that environment before and during the tournament.
He also confirmed that FAZ has already started its engagements with government on the preparatory program and budget to ensure that it is on top of things.
Meanwhile, Kamanga has congratulated the Copper Queens for reaching the finals of the 2023 Cosafa Womens Championship.
Kamanga said the “new-look” Copper Queens squad that lost the Cosafa crown following a 2-1 defeat to champions Malawi gave the association hope that Zambia would be competitive for a long time.
“It was a very thoughtful decision by the technical bench to give newcomers a chance to play at a high level. This is part of the plan that post the 2023 FIFA World Cup we should begin to regenerate our team,” Kamanga said.
Kamanga also encouraged the Under-20 national team not to be discouraged after being eliminated from the race for the Colombia 2024 FIFA Women World Cup race on away goals rule by the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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