‘ IN MICHO WE TRUST’
…Government pledges to support ‘Micho’ with everything
GOVERNMENT
has hope and trust in the leadership of national team coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic and that is the reason why we awarded him the contract, says Sports, Youth and Child Development Minister Emmanuel Mulenga.
He was speaking speaking after receiving a report from the national team coach on the three friendly matches played against Malawi, Kenya and South Africa.
Mulenga hailed President Edgar Lungu for the financial support he has been giving to the ministry in line with football development. He said Government will support the national team coach with everything needed for Zambia to beat Botswana in back-to-back AFCON qualifiers next month.
Mulenga said there is need to encourage the boys after the performance they put up in the three games played, beating Malawi 1-0, losing to Kenya 2-1 and overcoming South Africa 2-1.
He said the government will do its part to ensure that the Chipolopolo is prepared because the back-to-back AFCON qualifiers against Botswana are do or die fixtures for Zambia to qualify for the 2022 Cameroon AFCON.
“As government we shall give you the maximum support which you deserve financially, physically and even infrastructure you want to use we shall make them available for you to perform and make sure that we win the next two games which are do or die,” Mulenga said.
“Tell your boys that there is no losing, we have done our part as Government so it’s up to you coach and your boys to do your part to make our soccer loving fans proud because they want us as a country to regain that glory.”
Mulenga said Government does not owe any former Chipolopolo coach because everyone has been paid in full.
He instructed the Director of Sports to ensure that “Micho” is paid on time to avoid any cases of unpaid salaries.
Meanwhile “Micho” said the three friendly matches highlighted where the Chipolopolo needs to improve to be ready for Botswana.
And FAZ general secretary Adrian
Kashala said the association remains committed to ensuring that the Chipolopolo prepares adequately for the games against Botswana because Zambia still has a big chance of qualifying for the AFCON.
Kashala said FAZ is in talks with other federations for Zambia to play more friendly games before the
AFCON qualifiers and the CHAN tournament set for November and January 2021 respectively.