Skip to main content

Don't be carried away - Micho urges Chipolopolo players

 

Chipolopolo coach Milutin Sredojevic has called on his players not to be carried away by the 2-1 win first leg victory over Botswana in the Cameroon 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday evening.



Speaking in a post-match conference, Micho said there is no need to be over-confident but is full of belief in the work his technical bench and the players are doing to ensure Zambia gets another important win in the qualification process.

“We are fully aware where we have been. We were rock bottom now we have three points but now, we simply have no time and space to celebrate,” the Serb said.

“We need to go back to the drawing board to prepare well for Monday  because this match will not mean anything if we do not put a stamp on the final leg on Monday.”

Micho said he believes in the players and with good planning and good tactical approach, the team can outfight, out play and out run the opponents in order to fight for three points.

“I believe in the players we have and I believe with good planning and good tactical approach, we can outfight, out play and out run the opponents in order to fight for the points. We need to go like suicide bombers like I have said in the past,” said Micho.



Zambia fell behind from a Tumisang Orebonye header in 45th minute but the visitors’ celebrations were short-lived when captain, Lubambo Musonda pounced on a failed clearance by Botswana to weave a pin-point assist for Enock Mwepu who poked home the leveler.

Collins Sikombe made it 2-1 on 66 minutes after benefiting from a well worked solo run from substitute Fashion Sakala on the right wing to provide a well-timed final ball for Sikombe to tap in.

It was Chipolopolo’s first win in Group H of the AFCON qualifiers that sent them to third in the group, but Micho called on his boys to focus on being more clinical and improve ahead of Monday’s return match in Francistown.

In the other Group H match, Algeria cruised to a 3-1 win over Zimbabwe at home to remain top of the group with nine points.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

"We started AFCON Qualifiers without a substantive coach," Kamanga regrets

  Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga says it is regrettable that the Chipolopolo started the campaign without a substantive coach in place which saw them lose the first two matches against Algeria away and against Zimbabwe in the AFCON Qualifiers. In his President Column, Kamanga says the Association’s efforts to recruit a coach suffered serious resistance leaving the Football governing body to rely on local coaches that oversaw the first two matches. In reference to Micho’s appointment, Kamanga says it is never easy taking the stewardship of any team midway through a campaign as tough as the Africa Cup of Nations.  "In reflecting on this failure, we cannot avoid regretting that we started the campaign without a substantive coach in place which saw us lose the first two matches against Algeria away (5-0) and against Zimbabwe (2-1). Our efforts to recruit a coach suffered serious resistance leaving us to rely on our local coaches that oversaw the firs...

Tottenham, Everton closely monitoring Salzburg striker Patson Daka

  Chipolopolo and Red Bull Salzburg striker Patson Daka's goal scoring form has reportedly made him a subject of transfer interest from several European clubs. Goal.com reports that several European clubs including Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in the Premier League are closely monitoring Daka following his exploits in the Austrian Bundesliga were he has now scored 23 goals in just 19 League matches for Red Bull Salzburg. The 22-year-old continued his rich vein of form which took his tally to 23 goals after 19 league matches this campaign as he scored an eight-minute hat-trick in the first half when RB Salzburg beat Sturm Graz 3-1 in Sunday’s Austrian Bundesliga encounter. The 2017 CAF Young Player of the Year gave the hosts a three-goal lead in the opening minutes at the Red Bull Arena with goals in the third, fifth and 11th minutes. This comes after Daka scored two goals in each of Zambia's last two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, against Algeria and Zimbabwe.

Liverpool fans send Patson Daka transfer message

  Liverpool fans have been reacting online to Patson Daka scoring the fastest hat-trick in Austrian Bundesliga history. According to the Liverpool Echo, it was claimed last month that the Reds were one of four Premier League clubs reportedly in the hunt to sign the Red Bull Salzburg forward this summer. The report also cited Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal as the three other sides all eyeing a move for the 22-year-old. Daka bagged two goals against Liverpool in a pre-season friendly last August and was again on the score sheet in impressive fashion on Sunday. The Zambian striker fired his side ahead against SK Sturm Graz after just three minutes at the Red Bull Arena before adding his second two minutes later as he completed his hat-trick in the 3-1 win after just 11 minutes. Speaking back in January, Daka opened up on his ambition to follow in the footsteps of the great African goalscorers who have made headlines in the Premier League.