Chipolopolo assistant coach Moses Sichone wants to see commitment and aggression from his players this evening when they take on neighbours Malawi in their opening game of the 2023 COSAFA Championship.
Sichone is the man in charge of the team in Durban while Avram Grant is away in Germany offering his expertise to the Copper Queens technical bench ahead of the World Cup.
Sichone says he is happy with what he has seen in training from his players but expects a tough match against the Flames.
The former Nchanga Rangers defender wants a good start to the tournament to set a tone for the rest of the Competition.
“I’m very happy with the training we did, the boys are focused on the Malawi game so I can’t wait for the day to come . It will not be easy, Malawi always wants to prove a point but we just have to be focused and hope to get a positive result,” he said.
“The first games in a tournament are the most crucial, we just have to do our homework. The boys just have to follow our tactical plan and stay focused._
“Of course in every game you need to set goals and for me what I expect from every player is to show commitment, be aggressive with the ball or without the ball, and also to be organised on the pitch in terms of how we are going to attack and defend,” he added.
Zambia are the defending Champions but Sichone expects hard work from his players if they are to replicate their 2022 campaign and lift the trophy at the end of the day.
“Pressure is always there so we just have to get on the pitch with confidence and not forget that good results don’t come easy. We need to work and at the end of the day see how the game will end,” he said.
“It’s always a good thing to support the team, it’s a motivation for the fans. We hope they come in numbers and encourage the boys.”
Zambia is in Group B and will open its account this evening against the Flames of Malawi at 18h00 at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
The Copper Bullets will then face the Comoros Islands three days later and their final group match will be against Seychelles on July 11 at the Princess Stadium.
