Following his inclusion in coach Wedson Nyirenda’s 30-member Chipolopolo provisional squad for the Africa Cup of Nations Championship (CHAN), Green Buffaloes Football Club forward Golden Mashata expressed his desire to contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming tournament.

Zambia qualified for the tournament after Mozambique withdrew due to post-election unrest, resulting in the Chipolopolo Boys’ automatic qualification.

The squad will head to a residential camp this weekend to prepare for the tournament, set to take place from February 1 to February 28.

In an interview with BolaNews, Mashata said he is focused on helping the team go beyond their previous record of a quarterfinal appearance.

Despite Zambia’s previous third-place finish in 2009, where Given Singuluma secured the Golden Boot with five goals, Mashata emphasized prioritizing teamwork over individual achievements.

“The target for me is to make the nation reach greater heights, and the individual recognition will come after working hard as a team,” Mashata said.

Mashata expressed gratitude to the Nyirenda-led technical bench for their trust and confidence in him. He has also attributed his call to the national team to hard work at his club.

“I thank God for the opportunity, and I thank the technical bench for the trust. It is also due to hard work. As the season resumes, I will continue working hard and doing my best,” he stated.

Zambia is one of 18 teams eagerly anticipating the final 2024 CHAN draw, which will determine their opponents.

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