Chipolopolo head coach Avram Grant yesterday named his 55-member squad ahead of the Ivory Coast 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON), set to kick off on January 13, 2024.
Mafwenta, who made his senior Chipolopolo debut against Comoros in an AfCON qualifying match that ended 1-1, hopes to make the final squad despite stiff competition.
“I am very happy to be part of the 55-man squad and I can’t wait to begin the work. I have to work extra hard,” he told BolaNews in an exclusive interview.
The former Zanaco FC defender believes the team has great players who can achieve the desired results.
“Our plans are not God’s plans, but I believe we have a good side. Whatever God decides to give us, our own is to receive.”
Mafwenta is ready to give everything
On playing at AfCON, Mafwenta says, “I think this is every player’s dream and this might be my first time to be at AfCON.
“If you want your dream to come true, you just have to sacrifice yourself more than others, because if you look at our 55 squad, there are a lot of talented players and everyone wants to be part of the final squad
“So my own is to put more work and the rest I will leave to the almighty God,” concluded Mafwenta.
The 22-year-old came on as a second-half substitute in Zambia’s last match, a 2-1 loss to Niger in the World Cup Qualifiers.
The Chipolopolo boys will enter camp on the 26th of December before shifting to Saudi Arabia for an international camp to wrap up preparations ahead of the tournament.
According to CAF, all teams participating in next year’s AfCON will be expected to submit their final 23-member squads, including four standby players, by January 3, 2024.
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Zambia is in Group F with Congo DR, Morocco, and Tanzania.
They will begin their campaign with Congo on January 17, before clashing with Morocco four days later, and Tanzania on January 24th.
