Zambia national team assistant coach Perry Mutapa, who took charge of the team during their two friendly games against South Africa and Angola in place of Moses Sichone, who was hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning, insists the Chipolopolo will not be going to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) simply to participate, but to “make a mark,” despite two tough friendly defeats in the lead-up.
On Tuesday evening, Zambia went down 3-2 to Angola, with former Swedish international striker Jack Kaliche Lahne scoring his first goal for the national team and Fashion Sakala adding the other. The result came just two days after a 3-1 loss to South Africa, as Zambia continues preparations for the AFCON, where they are in Group A with Morocco, Comoros, and Mali. The team will open their tournament against Mali on December 22.
Speaking after the match against Angola, Mutapa said the friendlies have provided valuable insights, especially on the defensive side.
“We know in terms of defending, especially in organization, we didn’t do well,” he admitted. “We spent about two hours working on the structure because we knew Angola were a big threat on set pieces. The first goal unsettled us—five minutes in, they scored from a corner. We didn’t pick the runners.”
Despite the defensive lapses, Mutapa was impressed by the fighting spirit shown by a largely experimental squad.
“From the last game we played on Saturday, we had maybe only three players who started. Most of them were playing their first or second international game. To see that fighting spirit, we are delighted as the technical bench,” he said.
Zambia fought back twice in the second half to level the score at 2-2, but Angola managed a late winner. Mutapa said the performance, even in defeat, offered encouraging signs.
“It’s a loss but building takes time,” he said. “Going to the AFCON, we believe we are going to deliver results, but sometimes what is important is the performance.
“We are trying to see young boys who are going to make the nation great again. In terms of organization, we are still lacking, especially in defense. But going forward and in the fight, you can see we are coming back.”
Mutapa made it clear that Zambia will not hide behind the idea of rebuilding when they arrive in Morocco.
“When we talk about building, we mean today and tomorrow,” he said. “But we are not going to Morocco to say we are building. We are going to Morocco to make a mark.
“We have seen where we need to patch up and we’ll do that. Going to the AFCON, we want to make a good mark,” concluded Mutapa.
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