Patson Daka reflects on Cameroon match 

Chipolopolo striker Patson Daka described Zambia’s 1-1 draw with Cameroon as a very competitive match. 

The Leicester City forward said the match was nowhere near a practice match. 

Daka believes the match was important for the Copper Bullets to gauge themselves ahead of the tournament and know areas to improve on. 

“Well it was a very competitive game and did not look like a training match. It was important for us as a team to see the level we are at and how ready we are  going forward. It has given us direction of areas we need to work on and what we need to improve and also it was a good result,” he said. 

“It’s important not only for me but for the team. We know everyone can score in our team. It’s important at the end of the day because we are playing to score and scoring helps us win games. It’s all about the group, it’s all about who is in front of the goal , who has the opportunity to score to utilise the chances. I am just glad that I was able to be in that position and help the team. Credit to everyone in the team, we worked hard and fought for each other.”

The Chipolopolo Boys have been in Saudi Arabia since last week and Daka feels the Camp was very critical for the team to focus on the game and get away from distractions. 

“I think it has been a great camp here, the weather has been good, the food and the people have all been good. I think it was good for us to have a get away and be in a place where we just focus on football. It helps with team bonding. We have been together for a long time and we know each other. We are ready for the tournament and we will continue being ready until the day it starts,” he said. 

“We don’t expect it to be easy but one thing I can say is that we will do our very best and make sure we achieve our target. We are going there not to be participants but to compete. We are going there for a reason, we did not qualify by mistake. We go there not to have pressure but to enjoy and give everything we can to make sure we achieve our targets,” he added. 

This will be the first tournament for the majority of the Chipolopolo players with the exception of Stophila Sunzu, Lubambo Musonda and Rodrick Kabwe. 

Daka says playing at the Continental showpiece is a dream come true for him as he has waited for a long time. 

“It’s a dream come true, I have been waiting for the senior AFCON for a long time. The day we qualified was an amazing feeling and until now I can’t believe it. I am really glad it has happened, and I’m praying that everyone will be in good health and available so that we start the tournament all in good health and look forward to experiencing this big stage,” he said. 

“To the fans, they should just continue giving us the support we need and I can assure them that we will always give our very best every time and we will make sure that the day we leave the pitch, We will leave with our heads high knowing we have given everything we can to make them proud,” he added.

Coach Avram Grant’s charges will jet off for San Pedro on Thursday where they will based for their Group F assignments.

Zambia’s first match is against DR Congo on January 17 before facing the Taifa Stars four days later and wind up with Morocco three days after.