The stage is set for Saturday’s African Cup of Nations qualifier between Zambia and Ivory Coast.
Zambia host Ivory Coast at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium with kick off at 15:00 CAT
Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset has said that he wants his side to finish strong.
“Côte d’Ivoire is in good momentum, because we are coming out of a double-win showdown against the Comoros in very different circumstances,” the Frenchman sdaid
“First game[against Comoros] we played very well. The second leg, the encounter was very close, on a difficult ground.
Ivory Coast are currently leading Group H on 10 points with Zambia a point behind.
“But the team remained focused on its ambitions to win and progress. We want to remain undefeated and finish as a leader of the pack. We want to score in the FIFA rankings.
“There will be the CAN 2023 draw in a few months but also the next World Cup qualifiers and therefore it is important to be ranked well to be in the top hats. The band is doing well,” the former PSG and Bordeaux assistant coach.
Gasset also had his views on newcomer Jonathan Bamba and Evan Ndicka.
“I saw his work in three days and he can bring us a lot. Had to have him in the band. As for Evan Ndicka, he was at the end of his contract with his club and had travelled to Italy to talk with a new club and pass the medical. Having everything in order, he travelled to Abidjan for administrative issues. “He won’t be with us for tomorrow but we expect him for the next gatherings.”
