Zambia’s coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic said Chipolopolo have only played the first half of their Cameroon 2021 Total Africa Cup of Nations salvage mission with last Thursday’s home win over Botswana, and that Monday’s away return leg in Francistown will be the second half.
Chipolopolo’s AFCON 2021 Group H qualifying race received the kiss of life with a home 2-1 over the Zebras at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
That result handed the 2012 champions their first points in Group H after losing their opening two games in November last year 5-0 away to Algeria and 2-1 at home to Zimbabwe.
A ray of hope has now appeared with three games left for Chipolopolo to try and avoid the prospect of a third successive AFCON absence.
“They (Botswana) have played Egypt before and have played African champions Algeria and lost 1-0 at home. This is just sending you a message that we are not going for a walk in the park in Francistown,” Micho said.
“But I believe in the work we are doing and the players we have, and with good planning and tactical approach, we will fight for the points. Now that we have this (home victory) into account, big confidence has been injected into the team,” he added.
CHIPOLOPOLO DIARY: The Zambia National Team Arrive in Francistown ahead of Monday’s Cameroon 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Good Luck Team Zambia! pic.twitter.com/Omx6JbObF1
— FAZ (@FAZFootball) November 14, 2020
Micho has no injury worries heading to the game but is likely to start with Fashion Sakala who came as a substitute for Justin Shonga to assist Collins Mbesuma for the winner eight minutes later.
Midfielder Enock Mwepu may captain Zambia after an inspirational display capped with the equalizer against Botswana, barely 24 after joining the team from Austria’s RB Salzburg.
Algeria tops the group with maximum nine points, and will head to second place Zimbabwe who have four points, one more than Zambia. Botswana trail the pack with a lone point.
This article was previously published on CAFonline.com
