By MUKWIMA CHILALA
THE Zambia national soccer team this evening seeks to overcome their regional nemesis Namibia if they are to realise their target of qualifying to the quarter finals of the ongoing CHAN tournament.
And Zambia coach MIlutin “Micho” Sredejovic says his team will not be complacent but will aim to improve on their mistakes of the last two games.
Chipolopolo only need a draw for them to make it to the next round of the competition against an opponent in the Brave Warriors of Namibia only playing for pride having already been booted out of the competition following their loss to Tanzania in their second game of the tournament last week.
This is the second time that Zambia and Namibia are facing off at CHAN having met at the same stage of the last competition in their final group of the tournament held in Morrocco three years ago which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Should the game end in draw as was the case at the last tournament, Zambia would have confirmed their place to the next round where they are expected to face either Morrocco, Togo, Rwanda or Uganda from group C.
Zambia will however be wary of joint leaders Guinea who are better on goal difference while third-placed Tanzania could also be party spoilers depending on the outcomes of the two games with a win for them against Guinea and loss for Zambia to Namibia almost securing them a spot to the next round.
And “Micho” says he will aim to avert the pressure but that they will play creative football in the mid field and aim to be sharp in front due to the solidness of Namibia.
”Our target will be to improve in the game so as to avert the pressure and satisfy the many soccer fans at home and abroad. We shall try to correct what we did wrong in the match against Tanzania and Guinea but also having respect for our opponents,” said “Micho.”
“We shall try to avoid complacency because we respect Namibia but we shall fully focus as we are not trying to eliminate our opponents but playing to win.
This is Zambia’s fourth participation at the CHAN tournament and will be their fourth time to make it out of the group stage should they qualify to the next round of the competition.
