The Zambia Under Twenty Three squad has left for Ivory Coast for this weekend’s CAF U23 Championship qualifier match against the junior “Elephants”.
Coach Fighton Simukonda says he will approach the game with a lot of caution “especially that they(Ivory Coast) will be using some players that we may not know so much”.
However Simukonda says his bench will still focus on getting a win. Asked on how Patson Daka, Patrick Ngoma and Ronald “Sate Sate” Kampamba who are flying directly to Abidjan, will fit into his game plan, Simukonda said the three are Zambians and already understand the Zambian football philosophy. “besides they are training where they are so it will not be difficult for them to blend with the rest of the team” added the Nchanga Rangers boss.
And Assistant Team Captain, Salulani Phiri has predicted a tough match saying Ivory Coast are not a “push over” side but was quick to add that his team has prepared well and is aiming at picking up a good result on Saturday.
“We learnt some lessons from our game with Nigeria(in the all Africa games qualifier match) and we have corrected the mistakes we could have made. The truth is that the road to Rio will not be easy” said the Zanaco FC player.
The top three teams at the CAF U23 Championships in Senegal will automatically qualify for the Brazil 2016 Olympics.
Chipolopolo will spend a night in Ethiopia today and connect to Abidjan at 9 hours tomorrow morning and will finally land in Ivory Coast 15 hours local time.
[FAZ]
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco), Kenny Mumba (Red Arrows)
Defenders: Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Boyd Mkandawire (Napsa Stars), Kayawe Kapota (Nkana), Benson Sakala (Unattached), Benard Mapili (Zesco United)
Midfielders: Jack Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Shadreck Malambo (Red Arrows), Kelvin Mubanaga (Power Dynamos), Mukuka Mulenga (Bloemfontein Celtic), Bruce Musakanya (Red Arrows), Salulani Phiri (Zanaco)
Strikers: Moses Phiri (Zanaco), Patson Daka (Nchanga Rangers), Patrick Ngoma (Red Arrows), Friday Samu (Green Buffaloes), Ronald Kampamba (Wadi Degla)
we need a revenge this time ivory coast knocked us out in 2008 benjing olimpique qualifier in china via a 4-3 agregate, we beat them here 2-0 & we lost 4-1 in abidjan with gervinho scored a hat-trick.
we dont want 2 see what happen against nigeria, this time we need a qualification, we are tired of disappointment.
What is the Zambian football philosophy which the said players already understand Mr coach?
Fellow chipopolo fans what should be coache’s approach in Ivory coast?
————-> TO WIN THE MATCH,, I THINK!!
The squad seems to be ok. wishing you the best lads
A 4-5-1 formation will be the best option as CIV will come out full throttle in their quest to wrap up the match in their backyard.
Let’s play it the Chelsea way and grind out a result.
True ba Don
We’ve become very good at making statements of late with nothing to show for it. Why not get down to business & let results speak for themselves??
Wanted to say the same. Thanks for highlighting this.
gudluck guys