Zambia’s Wedson Nyirenda optimistic of CHAN 2018 glory

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Thursday Jan 11, 2018. 12:30

Zambian national team coach Wedson Nyirenda remains optimistic that his men will lift the 2018 CAF African Nations Championship in Morocco.

The Chipolopolo manager says his team did not play enough friendly matches, but believes they have what it takes to win the showpiece.

Nyirenda’s men have left the country en route to the North, but made a quick stop to play Orlando Pirates in South Africa on Wednesday where they won 3-1.

However, ‘Wada’ remains concerned with weather conditions in Morocco.

"It's a worry that we have not played any competitive friendly game but all in all, the team looks good and set for the tournament," Nyirenda said to the Times of Zambia.

"We are coming from the Southern part of Africa and Morocco is in the Northern part which gets extremely cold. The highest it gets is 17 degrees Celsius and at night, it drops to as low as four degrees.

"Such things happen in football that's why we were in constant touch with the owner of Circuit City and they were available to give us a friendly.

“In football, it's not a guarantee that when you play friendly's, you win. There are teams that play 10 friendlies before a tournament and lose, while those that played one emerge victorious."

The 2012 African champions will face Uganda on Sunday in their opening Group B match in Marrakesh.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT AFRICAN FOOTBALL ZAMBIA