Zambia: The Copper Bullets from the Football Association of Zambia will take to the field at the AFCON Tournament for the first time in almost nine years.
Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant seemed excited for the match. He said, “It will be very important to start strong in tomorrow’s Group F opener against the Democratic Republic of Congo set for the Laurent Pokou Stadium.”
Skipper Lubambo Musonda says Chipolopolo’s strength is fighting for each other during matches.
Speaking during a pre-match press conference, Grant said that Congo was a very good team, but the Chipolopolo would be geared to show their best side.
“The game is important, the tournament will be important, nothing will be decided after the first game, but it is important to open the tournament in the best way we can,” he said.
Grant said Zambia was in a tough group, but the Chipolopolo were focused on continuing their path of progress.
“I think we are in a very tough group, and our first opponents (Congo DR) are a very good team, but our target is also to show a good team and continue with our progress in the last year that we did,” he said.
“We have a very balanced team. That is what we wanted to do, and we try to play as a team, which is our strength.”
And Musonda said the boys were raring to go with everyone working hard.
“The opening game is very important; we need to start good; we need to be on that good feeling to start with a win,” said the Silkeborg IF star. The Chipolopolo face DR Congo tomorrow in a Group F encounter at the Laurent Pokou at 10:00 hours (Zambian Time).
Moreover, Ministry of Sports PS Kangwa Chileshe, along with FAZ officials, visited the Chipolopolo boys in training ahead of their match today against DR Congo.