Zambia’s coach, Wedson Nyirenda, has described the postponement of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as a sad development.
CAF has postponed the tournament from February 1st to August this year to give the hosts more time to ensure that the infrastructure and facilities are at the levels necessary for hosting the tournament.
In an interview with BolaNews, Nyirenda said he is disappointed with the rescheduling of the tournament, highlighting the team’s advanced preparations that have now been affected.
“The postponement of the CHAN Final tournament is a very sad development,” he said. “We planned well, we programmed well….. And now we are in the preparations stage, which I must say has been going on very well. The players have really done very well, and we have reached an advanced stage. We were looking forward to the last camp before traveling and this postponement came through.”
Nyirenda added that the technical bench will not lose focus on the target set for the tournament but will continue monitoring the progression of the players throughout the season.
“We shall not lose focus. We shall plan and program again so that our preparations will suit the August Finals. And we shall continue to monitor our players,” he said.
No permanent places in CHAN team—Nyirenda
Nyirenda had summoned a 30-member provisional squad for the CHAN tournament. He has suggested the potential addition of players not in the initial squad, motivating them to work hard to secure a place.
“All those that have been called before and those that have not yet been called before would be observed because there is no automatic position or entitlement,” he stated.
On Wednesday evening, CAF unveiled the groups for the upcoming tournament, with the Chipolopolo Boys placed in Group A alongside hosts Kenya, former champions DR Congo, and Morocco, including regional nemesis Angola.
Nyirenda has described the group as highly competitive.
“All five teams in our group are good teams, and it is going to be a very interesting tournament in the group stages. In fact, all groups have drawn very good and competitive teams. This year’s edition of CHAN shall be very competitive and interesting. Every team brings something special to the tournament. Group A will be the group to watch. We shall prepare very well for it,” he concluded.
