Chipolopolo challenged

...FAZ boss Kamanga tells the team to re-focus

THE Zambia national soccer team must refocus and represent Zambia honourably at the ongoing Cosafa tournament in South Africa, says Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga

Reacting to the Chipolopolo's poor showing at the regional tournament following defeats to upstarts Lesotho and eSwatini, Kamanga said the association is expectant that the Chipolopolo can bounce back to defend the Cosafa Cup as reigning champions.

Kamanga said FAZ has done everything to ensure that the team succeeds at the Cosafa tournament where they are competing in Group A with hosts South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and eSwatini.

"We have noted the poor start to their title defence and urged them to re-focus and represent our country honourably. They still have two more games to play, and the expectation is that the team can still salvage their campaign.

"On our part we have provided the team with everything they need to ensure that they succeed and expect that they reciprocate with good results," Kamanga said.

Kamanga said the association expects Chipolopolo technical bench led by Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic will use the Cosafa to gauge players that can be considered for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.

And Kamanga is confident that the Copper Queens who have been in residential camp for over three months will represent the African continent with honour at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The Copper Queens will play their first game at the Olympic Games on July 21 against Netherlands before facing China and Brazil on July 24 and July 27 respectively.

Meanwhile, Kamanga has hailed Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu's move to the EPL from Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg.

While Daka has signed a five-year deal with Leicester City, Mwepu has joined Brighton Hove and Albion on a four-year deal.

Kamanga said Mwepu and Daka's move to the EPL speak of the possibilities of Zambian players being able to breaking new grounds with hard work and will inspire young players to aim high.

"It is only by having more players in top leagues in world football that we are going to have an improved national team. I have no doubt that Fashion Sakala, Daka and Mwepu will thrive in their new destinations having received enough grounding from their previous bases in Europe where they featured for KV Oostende in Belgium and Red Bull Salzburg respectively," he said.