The Chipolopolo boys started their preparations on the 29th of June ahead of the 2021 COSAFA Cup Tournament, which is scheduled to start on the 6th of July 2021.
Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has summoned eight foreign-based players including former Sensational Zanaco winger Rodrick Kabwe, goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, midfielder Salulani Phiri and Amazulu forward Augustine Mulenga.
The ZamFoot Crew caught up with South Africa-based player Roderick Kabwe to talk about the preparations ahead of the 20th edition of the regional competition.
Kabwe is optimistic about defending the COSAFA Cup Zambia won in 2019 under Aggrey Chiyangi.
Kabwe believes the COSAFA tournament is very important as it will not only be about defending the cup but also as part of preparations for the World Cup qualifiers.
“Football is a very tricky game, but we are going there with the mentality of winning the cup, every game we are going play won’t be easy, but we will prepare for each game as it comes,” he said.
“We have a big assignment coming up in September, and we will not only use this tournament as a preparation but we also want to return the cup, as you know we are Champions so it’s important for us to return to the Championship,” he added.
Kabwe missed out on the Copper Bullets June FIFA window-friendly tour of West and North Africa due to club commitment but makes a return to the squad.
Looking at the players that have been summoned by coach Micho Kabwe feels the competition is very stiff.
“The competition is stiff, and everyone wants to play, so it’s not easy and everyone has to pull up their socks to earn a position in the team,” he said.
The Black Leopards midfielder also had the time to express his disappointment as his club got relegated from the DSTV Premiership.
“Definitely not the best of season, as you know we got relegated, so it was a disappointing kind of a season, nothing to be proud of.”
Zambia is placed in group B together with Malawi, Comoros, and Madagascar. And they face Comoros in their opening game on the 7th of July at Nelson Mandela Stadium, South Africa.
Micho’s team will then face Madagascar three days later. The final group B match will be against Malawi on July 13.
Those are not tough opponents.
Micho wake up we no longer need experiments.this is your last chance to prove it otherwise we need no excuses.
Zimbabwe have called professionals even from Europe for their preparation for AFCON
we could as well call some big guns like fashion, patson, mwepu etc
WE PASSED COSAFA TRIALS.LET MICHO FOCUS ON THE BEST WORLD CUP AND MAJOR TOURNAMENTS.