Chipolopolo Prepare for AFCON Qualifiers

Chipolopolo coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has revealed that the Zambian national team are beginning to prepare for possible back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November. 

Appearing on ZNBC’s the Dressing Room program the coach set out his priorities for the team. 

Having signed his two-year contract last week Micho said that it was immediately back to work for him as he works with his technical bench to ensure that Chipolopolo can reclaim its place among the elite of the African game. 

“This was one step in the shortest history of honeymoons because the moment that I signed, it was back to work and the realities of life there is so much to be done and at present. We are targeting CHAN in Cameroon in January 2021, qualifiers for the AFCON that have been moved to 2022 and World Cup qualifiers,” Micho explained.  

According to Micho the Confederation of African Football (CAF) may permit back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in November, making current preparations all the more important. 

“It is about playing an invisible match at present knowing that the way CAF is planning at present, that is the latest information for you, that they are planning to allow us play friendly matches  in September and October to play friendly matches so that slowly national teams are coming back,” he stated. 

“In November we play the doubleheader with Botswana, and after that we shall see when we can play Zimbabwe and Algeria,” he continued. 

Micho explained how the team had been using the past few weeks and months to invest in capacity building, including through goalkeeping and VAR trainings for Super League and National Division One coaches.  

Micho says he was optimistic about the pool of talent available to Zambia. “We have looked at 495 Zambian players  and Zambian players worldwide and now we have  a clearer picture of what we want and a bright future for Zambian football,” he stated.