Chipolopolo coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic says he has had the shortest honeymoon after signing his contract on Friday last week.
Featuring on ZNBC’s the Dressing Room program, Micho says his technical bench is having sleepless nights to ensure that the Chipolopolo reclaims its place among the elite of the African game.
The Serb said he had patiently waited for his contract to be sealed as he had a clear plan on where he wanted to take Zambian football.
“This was one step in the shortest history of honeymoons because the moment that I signed, it was back to work and the realities of life there is so much to be done and at present. We are targeting CHAN in Cameroon in January 2021 , qualifiers for the AFCON that have been moved to 2022 and World cup qualifiers,” says the man affectionately christened the Serbian Wolf.
Micho said he is aware that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) may allow back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November therefore pushing his side to be ready by then despite the covid-19 crisis.
“It is about playing an invisible match at present knowing that the way CAF is planning at present ,that is the latest information for you, that they are planning to allow us play friendly matches in September and October to play friendly matches so that slowly national teams are coming back,” he says.
“In November we play the doubleheader with Botswana, and after that we shall see when we can play Zimbabwe and Algeria.”
Micho adds: “We want to give respect to all Zambians that are dreaming to see their team back to the AFCON where we belong but not only AFCON but going beyond expectations.”
He said he is using the covid-19 induced vacuum to invest in capacity building that has seen his bench conduct goalkeeping and video analysis courses for Super League and National Division One coaches.
Micho said he was driven with wide pool of talent in Zambia that he hopes to turn into match winners.
He says he has looked at 495 players of Zambian origin both in Zambia and beyond.
“We have looked at 495 Zambian players and Zambian players worldwide and now we have a clearer picture of what we want and a bright future for Zambian football,” he says.
Micho said it is not in his DNA to complain when things do not go his way.
“I have not gone round to complain about anything my intention was to fully focus on the national team and until now I am happy with what we have fulfilled,” he says.
Micho signed a two-year contract on Friday that sees FAZ pay USD15, 000 while government is footing USD10, 000
