Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda has warned that they have a lot of work to do despite overcoming a tough Uganda by an emphatic score line.
Zambia showed character on January 14 and toiled to a 3-1 win over a sleek Uganda to go top of Group B at 2018 CHAN on Sunday in Marrakech.
“We cannot go to sleep and think we have already qualified. We have three points apiece with Namibia and the race is still open,” Nyirenda said.
Namibia are second on 3 points after beating third placed Cote d’Ivoire also on Sunday.
Uganda are bottom on zero points.
Zambia play Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday in their penultimate Group B match.
A win in that match could see Zambia qualify to the quarterfinals with a match to spare.
“This is a marathon which means we all have two games to go therefore we can only think about being qualified after playing the third game,” Nyirenda said.
“We are not going to relax, I believe the way Uganda is playing we should not be surprised to find them qualifying because we have seen the way they are playing. Any other team can qualify.”
Meanwhile, striker Alex Ng’onga and defender Simon Silwimba are battling to be fit to face Cote d’Ivoire after sustaining injuries against Uganda that saw them sit out Monday training.
So far so good, we just need to tighten up on defense (especially Kapumbu), and attack/defend as a team!
A win in our next match against the Elephants of Cote d’ Ivoire would help too, win the group & we avoid the hosts Morocco at this early stage…
Our team lacks fitness and skillfulness is questionable. They need more cohesion and improved ball control. Otherwise, all the best.
Let’s hope ng’onga wil b out on thursday the match against ivory coast, coz he’s not a good striker.
HH will play 9.
Ivory Coast after the loss to Namibia will play a better game. I’m glad the coach is not relaxed. We have enough to win the next game. Hope for the best