Kamanga upbeat Chipolopolo will go beyond quarter-finals

Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic coach Zambia are in Group D alongside Tanzania, Namibia and Guinea.

The tournament in Cameroon started on Saturday but Zambia will start their company with a tie against Tanzania tomorrow.

Kamanga told the players after paying them a visit in Buea that with the kind of preparations the team was accorded the association expects them to perform to expectations in Cameroon.

“Our idea was that we give the team enough preparation as they come into the tournament. Where we are today, the tournament has started, we expect that the team is now ready, and they will be able to do well, initially get out of the group stages and get to the quarterfinal,” he said.

Kamanga said Zambia should build on their last achievement at CHAN which saw them reach the quarter-finals in Morocco two years ago.

The Wedson Nyirenda drilled Chipolopolo reached the last eight in 2018.

“Last time, we came out in the quarterfinal, we expect that this time round there will be an improvement and go beyond the quarterfinal,” he said.

And Kamanga has implored the players to seize the opportunity at CHAN to lure Europe scouts for potential moves.

 “So those who will do well have an opportunity to go into professional football. But most importantly also as an executive we have made sure that the team which is participating here is critical because we have other engagements beyond this tournament.

“In March, we are back with the AFCON qualifiers we play Algeria and Zimbabwe away and after that in June we have World Cup qualifiers. So, for the players it is an opportunity that they should be part of this team, be part of the AFCON team to play qualifiers and be part of the World Cup. So, in terms of motivation and progression there is enough for them to fight for,” he said.

The match against Tanzania is scheduled for Stade de Limbe and will kickoff at 18:00 hours.