Red Arrows head coach Chisi Mbewe has set his sights on guiding the club to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup as they begin their campaign against Madagascar’s FC Rouge on Saturday.
The Zambia Air Force-sponsored side will host the debuting Malagasy outfit at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola at 15:00 hours in the first leg of the first preliminary round, with the return leg scheduled for the following weekend.
Mbewe said Red Arrows will draw on their previous experience in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup as they seek to reach the group stage for the first time.
“I think it’s another great opportunity and chance for us to participate in the Confederation [cup]. I think we have prepared so well. The team looks ready, looks set going into this tournament,” Mbewe said during a pre-match press conference.
Mbewe believes his team has continued to improve during preparations, pointing to their recent 2–1 friendly victory over AS Simba as evidence of their progress, but warned his players against underestimating FC Rouge, insisting that qualifying for the competition demonstrates the quality of the Malagasy side.
“For our opponents to qualify for this competition, they are a good side,” he said. “So the most important thing is that we need to approach this game with a positive attitude, a positive mindset, and ensure that we fight and attain our goals.”
‘We Want to Go Into the Group Stage’ – Mbewe
Mbewe said previous setbacks should not define the team, adding that they have learned valuable lessons from their continental experiences.
“We want to go into the group stage. We want to do something different. I think we have learnt a lot of lessons. I think we have gained a lot of experience in the Confederation and in the previous Champions League that we have played.”
Meanwhile, captain Yusuf Saddam Phiri called for character, a positive attitude and a different approach this season.
“We just have to put a few things in order for this season. Do things differently, put in character, have a positive attitude also, and the experiences that we made throughout the years,” Phiri said. “We just have to go all the way.”
