In-form Leicester City FC and Zambian star striker Patson Daka has made a bold statement ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, warning opponents that the Chipolopolo Boys did not qualify by mistake but earned it.
Zambia will be returning to the tournament for the first time after missing the last three editions.
They are in Group F alongside the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup semifinalists, Morocco, the DR Congo, and Tanzania.
Zambia, coached by 2015 AFCON finalist and former Chelsea FC manager Avram Grant, will kick off their campaign against DR Congo on Wednesday next week in San Pedro.
They drew 1-1 with Cameroon in a pre-AFCON friendly match at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdallah Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
“We didn’t qualify by mistake”- Daka
Daka, who scored his side’s only goal in the friendly match and his 19th for Zambia, said the team is ready to compete in Ivory Coast and that it has been a long-awaited dream for him.
“We don’t expect it to be easy but one thing I can say is that we are going to do everything possible to make sure that we achieve our targets,” he told FAZ media.
The 25-year-old striker continued: “We are going there not just to be participants but we are going there to compete. We are going there for a reason. We didn’t qualify by mistake.
“I have been waiting for the senior AFCON for a long time. It’s a dream come true. I am looking forward to experiencing the big stage.”
Daka’s 19th senior Chipolopolo goal yesterday, in his 41st appearance, meant he equaled former Zambian attacker Kenneth Malitoli’s tally, which he achieved with 80 caps.
He will also look to become the first African to score in all three CAF international tournaments, having done so in the U17, U20, and U23 AFCONs.
