Lusaka, Zambia, March 18: Zambia Under -23 national soccer coach, Fighton Simukonda has declared that his side will fight tooth and nail when it faces Nigeria in All Africa Games final qualifier first leg match to be played in Abuja this coming Sunday.
Simukonda told a local online daily that his charges will throw everything to clinch a win though their opponents will also be focusing on securing a victory at all cost to get a slot for 11th All-Africa Games to be staged in Congo-Brazzaville.
“Fans complain a lot but that will not stop us from working hard to achieve our dream of qualifying. We also want to win just like Nigeria, so we will try our level best because both teams are working towards the same goal which is to qualify,” he said.
Simukonda told a local online daily that his charges will throw everything to clinch a win though their opponents will also be focusing on securing a victory at all cost to get a slot for 11th All-Africa Games to be staged in Congo-Brazzaville.
“Fans complain a lot but that will not stop us from working hard to achieve our dream of qualifying. We also want to win just like Nigeria, so we will try our level best because both teams are working towards the same goal which is to qualify,” he said.
Zambia team has got a boost following the availability of star striker Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba who joined the team on Monday and that of five players who were with Zambia Under-20 side following its early exit from the Africa Youth Championship in Senegal.
The five under-20 team players are Power Dynamos midfielder Larry Bwalya, Red Arrows striker Patrick Ngoma, Napsa Stars defender Boyd Mkandawire and the Zanaco striking duo of Charles Zulu and Dave Daka.
Simukonda said the availability of Kampamba who is plying his trade in Egypt will be a plus to his side because of his experience having played for senior national soccer team.
He also said that he would have liked to have South Africa based midfielder, Mukuka Mulenga in the team.
“Morale has now been boosted in camp but it is so unfortunate that our other senior player Mukuka Mulenga is unlikely to be part of us. We have been trying to get in touch with his club in South Africa but there is no news if at all he will come,” he explained.
The Zambia mentor added that he personally tried to contact Mulenga through the phone but he was not responding.
However other media reports indicated that Mulenga and another midfielder, Bruce Musakanya will not be part of the Sunday’s action due to injuries.
Meanwhile Nigeria is not taking things lying down; its coach Samson Siasia told the country’s online Vanguard that the Sunday encounter will not be a laughing matter and his side will use a home ground advantage to secure a win.
“My boys are ready for the Zambians. Our focus is on doing the job here in Abuja on Sunday so that we can then put our feet down in the return leg,” declared Siasia.
Siasia further said a tune up game his side had against Lobi Stars FC assisted him a lot to know his team weak areas and patch them up.
“Our match against Lobi Stars on Saturday helped a lot. We have been able to notice a few places that we need to continue to work on, “said Siasia.
He added for now his team target was to secure a qualifying slot for 2015 All Africa Games that will be held in Congo- Brazzaville.
“Our first target is the All-Africa Games, and then we start the qualification series for the CAF U-23 Championship where the qualifiers for the Olympic Games would emerge, “said Siasia.
Zambia winged into the last round qualifiers of the All Africa Games qualifiers without
kicking a ball after their opponents Madagascar withdrew from the tournament
The five under-20 team players are Power Dynamos midfielder Larry Bwalya, Red Arrows striker Patrick Ngoma, Napsa Stars defender Boyd Mkandawire and the Zanaco striking duo of Charles Zulu and Dave Daka.
Simukonda said the availability of Kampamba who is plying his trade in Egypt will be a plus to his side because of his experience having played for senior national soccer team.
He also said that he would have liked to have South Africa based midfielder, Mukuka Mulenga in the team.
“Morale has now been boosted in camp but it is so unfortunate that our other senior player Mukuka Mulenga is unlikely to be part of us. We have been trying to get in touch with his club in South Africa but there is no news if at all he will come,” he explained.
The Zambia mentor added that he personally tried to contact Mulenga through the phone but he was not responding.
However other media reports indicated that Mulenga and another midfielder, Bruce Musakanya will not be part of the Sunday’s action due to injuries.
Meanwhile Nigeria is not taking things lying down; its coach Samson Siasia told the country’s online Vanguard that the Sunday encounter will not be a laughing matter and his side will use a home ground advantage to secure a win.
“My boys are ready for the Zambians. Our focus is on doing the job here in Abuja on Sunday so that we can then put our feet down in the return leg,” declared Siasia.
Siasia further said a tune up game his side had against Lobi Stars FC assisted him a lot to know his team weak areas and patch them up.
“Our match against Lobi Stars on Saturday helped a lot. We have been able to notice a few places that we need to continue to work on, “said Siasia.
He added for now his team target was to secure a qualifying slot for 2015 All Africa Games that will be held in Congo- Brazzaville.
“Our first target is the All-Africa Games, and then we start the qualification series for the CAF U-23 Championship where the qualifiers for the Olympic Games would emerge, “said Siasia.
Zambia winged into the last round qualifiers of the All Africa Games qualifiers without
kicking a ball after their opponents Madagascar withdrew from the tournament
By: Joel Chirwa
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