Zambia was placed in Group F for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with Tanzania, Morocco, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The group for the World Cup qualifiers, which will start in November of this year, also includes Morocco, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Retired Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene has urged the Chipolopolo boys not to underrate their opponents in the group at next year’s tournament, describing the draw as tough.
Mweene told BolaNews that DR Congo and Tanzania will be Zambia’s biggest threats at the tournament.
“Not an easy draw; Tanzania is improving every day. If we think we Zambians can get a point from Tanzania easily, we are lying to ourselves. It won’t be easy for Zambia.
“The players need to be in the right state of mind if they are to win. Anything can happen with Morocco, but Tanzania and DR Congo are the most difficult games,” said Mweene.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns keeper has called for early preparations and urged the coach to pick players based on merit.
“Prepare adequately; the coach should make sure he has the players within two weeks prior to the tournament. It’s not about the names; we need players to be together as a team.”
The 38-year-old goalkeeper, who retired from football in July this year, was the first-choice goalkeeper for the Chipolopolo since making his debut appearance in 2004.
In the 2012 Afcon against a Didier Drogba-inspired Ivory Coast, Mweene is famed for keeping a clean sheet, which forced the game to end in a scoreless stalemate.
Later on in the same game, he saved a penalty and was crowned the competition’s top goalie.
READ ALSO: Zambia granted ‘a very tough draw;’ Avram reacts to Afcon draw
Zambia will kick off their campaign against the Congo DRC before meeting Tanzania and concluding their group matches against Morocco. The Afcon tournament will run from January 13 to February 11, 2023.
