WE are encouraged by the progress being made by some of the foreign-based Chipolopolo players, says Football Association of Zambia (FAZ president Andrew Kamanga
Kamanga they have no doubt that the progress made will add value to Zambia’s 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup campaigns against Mauritania and Tunisia.
He said FAZ is also encouraged by the character of local players who have set up camp in Morocco where they are preparing and looking hungry enough to push the Zambian flag higher in the World Cup race.
Kamanga said the Chipolopolo’s Morocco camp is meant to help the team acclimatise to similar conditions in Mauritania and ensure that the team prepares away from possible destractions.
He said FAZ will continue to leverage on its various partnerships to ensure that the Chipolopolo is exposed to top grade facilities in preparation for major tournaments.
“As the World Cup qualifiers get closer, we are excited at the prospect of seeing our Chipolopolo back in action during the international window.
“We are even more excited that the team has been striking the right chords in the preparations with coach Beston Chambeshi and technical advisor Aljosa Asanovic forming a promising partnership for our game,” Kananga said
“Given the period of renewal that our great nation is experiencing, we have no doubt that football too will play its part in making the millions of Zambians happy,” he said.
Zambia will be away to Mauritania on September 3, and host Tunisia five days later at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola in back-to-back Group B matches.
Kamanga noted that World Cup qualification remains Zambia’s elusive accomplishment and every qualifying cycle renews the ambitions and hopes for the Chipolopolo.
Meanwhile, Kamanga called on stakeholders of the Zambian game to play their part in ensuring that the 2021/2022 soccer season set to kick off next weekend is a success.
He said FAZ has laid the ground for yet another explosive football journey.
He said FAZ has engaged the authorities on the possibility of admitting spectators back to stadia albeit in a phased approach in respect of Covid-19 guidelines.
Football returns on Saturday when Super League champions Zesco United and ABSA Cup winners Lusaka Dynamos face off in the Samuel “Zoom” Ndhlovu Charity Shield at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka while the league will kick off on September 11.
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
