Zambia coach Honour Janza insists both he and the national team are honoured to be part of the COSAFA Cup, which will be held in South Africa next month.
The tournament, which pits teams from the Southern African football federations against one another, will take place between May 17-30, and the Copper Bullets will be looking to emulate the success they achieved on home soil in 2013 when they lifted the trophy.
And, when asked what it means to take part in the competition, Janza told SuperSport: "It is an honour, especially with the fact that it is our biggest tournament in our region.
"It is an honour not just for me, but for the Zambian national team to play in such a prestigious event. We will, of course, prepare by giving it all the due respect it deserves, and we believe it will be of great benefit to our national team."
The tournament, which pits teams from the Southern African football federations against one another, will take place between May 17-30, and the Copper Bullets will be looking to emulate the success they achieved on home soil in 2013 when they lifted the trophy.
And, when asked what it means to take part in the competition, Janza told SuperSport: "It is an honour, especially with the fact that it is our biggest tournament in our region.
"It is an honour not just for me, but for the Zambian national team to play in such a prestigious event. We will, of course, prepare by giving it all the due respect it deserves, and we believe it will be of great benefit to our national team."
The likes of Ghana, Zimbabwe and South Africa will all be present at this year's showpiece, and Janza knows all too well the challenge they will face if they are to reach the final.
He said: "I think if you look at it, it is not far off from what you might expect to face at the Africa Cup of Nations. The level of football will be very high and not that far off the continental championship.
"It will certainly be a very competitive fixture whoever we face in the quarter-finals, and if we get through that there are some other excellent sides.
"African football is changing all the time, becoming more professional and you cannot take anything for granted against any team.
"You have to be at your best every match or you can easily suffer defeat. We know that."
He said: "I think if you look at it, it is not far off from what you might expect to face at the Africa Cup of Nations. The level of football will be very high and not that far off the continental championship.
"It will certainly be a very competitive fixture whoever we face in the quarter-finals, and if we get through that there are some other excellent sides.
"African football is changing all the time, becoming more professional and you cannot take anything for granted against any team.
"You have to be at your best every match or you can easily suffer defeat. We know that."
By: Farai Diza
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