EARLY PREPS KEY…
Makembo urges Micho to begin preps for CHAN
ZAMBIA Sports Fans Association (ZASPOFA) patron Peter Makembo has called on national team coach Millutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevich to begin preparations for the Championship of African Nations CHAN tournament to be held in Cameroon.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the African Nations Championship tournament which was postponed earlier this year will kick off on January 16, 2021 with the final set for February 7, 2021.
CAF said the sixth edition of the CHAN tournament, which was initially scheduled for 4-25 April 2020 and postponed due to the COVID-19 will kick-off on January 16th with hosts Cameroon facing Zimbabwe.
In an interview, Makembo said there is need for Micho to implement programs which will help him come up with a local squad to raise the Zambian flag in Cameroon.
Makembo said early preps for the championship which features players who play in their domestic leagues will help Zambia to triumph in Cameroon.
“Now that CAF has indicated when the CHAN will be played, the focus should be on drilling the team because that January is just around the corner and our prayer as fans is that the coach will be able to come up with a strong squad to represent Zambia diligently at the CHAN in Cameroon,” Makembo said.
“The coach needs to engage those players he feels can deliver results for Zambia. Early preparations will be key for Zambia to do well in Cameroon,” Makembo said.
Meanwhile Makembo has hailed Government for paying Micho his seven months’ salary arrears after his contract as Chipolopolo coach was approved.
Makembo said the decision by government to approve Micho’s contract and to settle his allowances will motivate the Serbian to deliver as expected by the Zambian people.
“The coach issue has been resolved and there is nothing wrong with our technical bench because everything concerning their allowances has been resolved and now it is that time to start preparations for the CHAN and the COSAFA,” He said.
Micho will lead Zambia who finished third in 2009 and have been quarter-finalists in the other two editions of the CHAN.
The Chipolopolo will compete in group D with Guinea who finished 4th in 2014 and will be making their third appearance in the tournament in Cameroon.
Other teams in group D include Namibia and Tanzania who will be making a second appearance at the CHAN after they took part in the maiden edition in 2009 where they were eliminated at the group stage.