Chaiwa is one of 55 players named to Avram Grant’s provisional squad for the Ivory Coast’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The squad will later be reduced to a final roster of 23 players, with four others placed on standby.
The BSC Young Boys defensive midfielder, who made his senior national team debut in a 3-1 friendly loss to Iraq in March 2022, has not been part of Grant’s Chipolopolo squad due to a lack of game time at his club, according to the coach.
The 19-year-old has featured in two league matches this season and played in three UEFA Champions League matches where his side failed to advance to the knockout stage but managed to secure a slot in the Europa League.
He also became the youngest Zambian ever to play in the UEFA Champions League group stage at 19 years, 5 months, and 27 days old since its rebrand in 1992.
Speaking to Bolanews in an exclusive interview, Chaiwa said he is ready to fight and make the final AfCON squad.
“It’s a great opportunity and I thank God for that to be among these great players, because everyone wants to be part of the team and they have been doing well, so for me, it gives me a task [to work extra hard].”
“At the moment, I have been working hard and always pushing myself and when it comes to my country, I will give it all because I love my country, and that’s my target putting on those nation’s colors.”
Chaiwa wants Chipolopolo to replicate 2012 AfCON-winning team
Chaiwa believes Zambia can replicate the 2012 AfCON-winning squad if they remain united.
“With the talent and players I have seen on the list if we work together, everything is possible, and I am seeing Zambia reaching far at the Afcon.
“I can give you an example of the 2012 team; they won that Cup because they were one.”
Zambia is in Group F alongside Congo DR, Morocco, and Tanzania for the tournament, which will run from January 13th to February 11th, 2024.
READ MORE: Czech Republic-based Chipolopolo defender makes AfCON final squad admission
The Chipolopolo boys will kick-start their campaign with Congo on January 17 before meeting Morocco four days later and concluding their group fixtures with Tanzania on January 24th.
They are expected to enter camp on December 26 and later move to Saudi Arabia for the final preparations ahead of the tournament.
