Abel Xavier happy to beat Chipolopolo for the first time ever

Abel Xevier

Wednesday Jun 14, 2017. 17:00

After leading Mozambique to their first ever win over Zambia at international level, coach Abel Xavier says they were well prepared for the clash.

The Mambas claimed a 1-0 win over Chipolopolo in their 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.

The Mambas stunned Wedson Nyirenda's men to record their first-ever win over the Chipolopolo in 20 meetings through Stanley Ratifo's goal.

After their historical win, Xavier said his charges showed belief that anything is possible in football as they pushed to end end their seven-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

“I am very proud of my players after working with the team for one-and-a-half years changing things to make things happen,” said Xavier.

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“I believe we prepared very well against a team like Zambia, a team we respect a lot. On Saturday, Mozambique sent an important statement; a statement that these days in modern football, everything is possible.

“When you prepare players very well, who are the main protagonist of the game, and they believe they can produce the results, and they can believe that they can be dominant, then you are closer to achieving your objectives.

“I don't want to talk about history because I was not there. Now this is a different scenario, we are changing things, because I found players who are fully committed and I am proud of them.

“I believe with the growth process of my team, this result gives us hope of what can happen and if we fight to the end, then we can go through.”