Sichone, Sakala rate Zambia high ahead of AFCON

By BENEDICT TEMBO

CHIPOLOPOLO head coach Moses Sichone has described Zambia’s ongoing Morocco 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) preparations as satisfying.
And as Sichone expressed his satisfaction, Saudi Arabia-based Fashion Sakala assured that Zambia will be equal to the task and cause surprises in Morocco.
Sichone was happy his players were sticking to instructions and quickly buying into his tactical plans.
The coach said this shortly after conducting a training session at UNILUS Silverest Campus in Chongwe yesterday.
He told FAZ media that the players were executing instructions and showing good response to his tactics.

Sichone, who is expected to name his final 28-man squad today, has called on fans to support the Chipolopolo, saying the team was made up of both young and experienced players.
“So far so good, we started the training two weeks ago. I like the progress and that’s why we’ve tried to change the training. We don’t have much time but I’m seeing positive things from the team,” said Sichone.
He declared that the Chipolopolo boys will not be going to the AFCON as mere participants but as competitors.
He however regretted he would not have the full squad sooner, with FIFA allowing releases only on December 15.

“It’s just unfortunate that we won’t have all foreign-based players in good time as we wanted to utilise the (Spain camp); by having everyone on board.
I only know of Kings Kangwa and Lubambo Musonda whom I have personally spoken to. They (Kangwa and Lubambo) will be released on the 14th of December,” Sichone said.
The coach hopes to have a full house when the squad moves to Spain for straining to make key squad assessments before AFCON.
And striker Fashion Sakala said the team is prepared to get out of the group stage as their key target.

“For us, we only have one goal; the first target that we have is obviously to get to the next stage. We just want to qualify to the next round. That’s the language that we are speaking,” said Sakala. Sakala, who described Group ‘A’ opponents as tough, said the team will be equal to the task, especially that they already had good friendly matches against South Africa and Angola.
“We know the Africa Cup, we know how tough it is but I think we have a very good team to fight for this. We have players that are not yet known and ready to make some surprises,” he said.
The Al Fayha hitman said he and his teammates were ready to fight for their places in the squad.