Veteran coach and former Chipolopolo trainer Beston Chambeshi feels the team assembled by Avram Grant has what it takes to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON).

An intense week awaits Grant and his players as they prepare to face AfCON defending Champions Ivory Coast at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Friday before an away tie against Sierra Leone in Monrovia, Liberia four days later.

Chambeshi who has on several occasions led Zambia says the team needs everyone’s support.

“it is a big occasion, these are two big matches for the country so I believe with the right application, we can get good results,” he said in an interview. “The target should always be to make it for big tournaments.”

The Nkana legend led Zambia to the Under – 20 AfCON title in 2017. Some players that delivered gold for Zambia that year have graduated to the senior team.

“I think the progression has been good, it’s sad that we have a few injuries but it is part of football, I know these players well, and I know what they are capable of delivering,” Chambeshi said.

Zambia is second in the Group with seven points, two shy of Ivory Coast while Sierra Leone and Chad still have an outside chance to make it for the AfCON as they have four and two points respectively with six more to fight for before the end of the qualifiers.

A win on Friday may render the final group game a formality provided the game between Sierra Leone and Chad ends in a stalemate.

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