Chipolopolo midfielder Golden Mafwenta says Zambia will not underestimate their opponents in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mafwenta is part of the 27-man Chipolopolo squad currently camping in Saudi Arabia and has been a regular feature in the national team under Avram Grant.
On Tuesday afternoon, Zambia played a 1-1 draw with Cameroon in a pre-Afcon friendly match at the King Abdallah Stadium and Mafwenta was in the starting lineup.
In an interview with Bolanews, the Czech Republic-based player believes the team is ready and will take each game as it comes.
“I guess all the teams are tough,” he said. “We just have to work extra hard and give full concentration. We are more than ready and the morale is very high in camp.”
The 22-year-old FK Vyškov defensive midfielder added that being around senior players in camp is enough motivation for him and the other young players.
“Just to be with them is an encouragement for me,” he told BolaNews. “Because I always take the chance to learn when I am with them.”
The Chipolopolo boys are expected to fly to San Pedro tomorrow for their group-stage matches of the AFCON.
Zambia will open their AFCON campaign against DR Congo on Wednesday next week, before facing Tanzania four days later.
They will conclude their group matches with Morocco on January 24th.