Chipolopolo interim coach Moses Sichone says they are taking Saturday’s international friendly match against Bafana Bafana of South Africa very seriously like a cup final.
Sichone says his side wants to win the game as they are facing a team that has qualified to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former Chipolopolo defender says he has seen the negative comments from Bafana Bafana fans who wanted their team to face Brazil and not Zambia.
South Africa legend Mlungisi Ngubane also came out and expressed his views as he was not convinced that is the right way to go for a team chasing continental glory and the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
“Of course we are expecting a tough game against South Africa and we also want to you know to give them a good friendly game so we are not just going there to go and play we are taking it so seriously and we also want to win the game because South Africa are qualified for the World Cup and it’s a good test for us also to give the chance here for for other guys to prove a point also that you know they are ready for the AFCON,” he said.
“Us as a technical bench we are taking this game as if it’s a cup final so over South Africa we know that they have underrated us I’ve been reading some some comments which are coming from from South Africa they wanted to play Brazil but for us we take it as it comes so we we are taking this game very serious and we we hope to to go and get you know a positive result and after South Africa then we look forward to our next friendly game against Angola,” he added.
Sichone has revealed that the door is open for all players as long as they are Zambians.
“The door is still open I mean players who are doing well in the local league they still stand a chance so we are trying to balance here the team with the old players everyone so as long as they are Zambians so like I said the door is open for everyone all we want is guys who are ready who are ready to die for the country who are ready to to show their talent so yeah that’s what is important yeah,” Sichone said.
Sichone was appointed as interim head coach after the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) parted ways with coach Avram Grant.
He says he knows he is representing 20 million plus Zambians and he is grateful for the opportunity. He has asked for support from the country as he undertakes this endeavor.
“Well, I’ve been in football for… For a long time, of course, you know, coming as a former football player and then going into coaching, I think the most important thing is I’m grateful to have this opportunity and yeah, I think it’s not just a matter of proving a point or what, you know, I know this is not a club. I’m representing, you know, the whole entire 20 million people plus. So the only thing I can do is I need support. I know the job that I’m in, so I’m just looking forward to every game that comes until the AFCON,” he said.
“Definitely, otherwise, I would have not been here. Expectations, I know they are always high. People are looking for results. But one thing we shouldn’t be forgetting is we’ve been having upside-down situations. Of course, even us, you cannot accept a job. So we will try and do our level best to make sure that the team brings the glory to mother Zambia. So the only thing that I expect from all Zambian fans… all the entire nation is the support you know we’ve got young players so if people are criticizing doing what and then the boys get that they can not perform. You know this generation is a totally different generation to compare where we are coming from so these boys need the support as much as possible.”
Zambia will play South Africa on Saturday November 15th before facing the Palancas Negras of Angola on November 18th.
