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MOZAMBIQUE coach Helder ‘Mano Mano’ Muianga is targeting an upset in Saturday’s 2016 Rwanda African Nations Championship final round first leg against Zambia.
And Muianga has named a 24-member provisional squad for the clash against the Chipolopolo.
He said the Mambas’ aim is to collect maximum points at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola to ease pressure in next Saturday’s return leg in Maputo.
The Mambas are camped in South Africa and are expected in Ndola today.
“We know what we want to do [beating Zambia]. We also know how we want to play. Zambia is among the best teams in Africa, so they are the ones who are under pressure,” Muianga said.
Muianga, who replaced Joao Chissano two months ago, however, predicted a tough match.
“We did well against Seychelles but now we have to do better than that because we are playing a strong team. Zambia has been dominant over the years. We have never beaten them but we have a chance to do it.
“I don’t know how good they are at the moment. But we can only focus on ourselves and try to break the jinx which I am confident this team is capable of doing,” he told Mozambique daily Zambezian.
Mozambique thumped Seychelles 9-1 on aggregate in the first round while Zambia edged Namibia 5-4 on penalties after tying 3-3 over two legs.
The teams last met in the 2015 Equatorial Guinea Africa Cup of Nations qualifying race with Mozambique forcing a barren draw in Ndola but Zambia triumphed 1-0 in Maputo.
Zambia and Mozambique have met 17 times with the Chipolopolo winning 15 and two matches have ended in draws.
Meanwhile, former national team assistant coach Dickson Makwaza has urged the Chipolopolo to guard against complacency when they take on Mozambique.
Makwaza said in Luanshya yesterday that there is no need to dwell on past results.
“We need to put our house together and get the desired result on Saturday. The record against them is water under the bridge. We should forget about the record. The Mambas should fall at all cost,” he said.
And Red Arrows goalkeeper Danny Munyao and Mufulira Wanderers midfielder Jacob Ngulube were yesterday missing from camp.
Munyao’s absence means only two goalkeepers are in camp.
These are Jacob Banda of Zesco United and Zanaco’s Toaster Nsabata.
Nsabata and Lusaka Dynamos striker Conlyde Luchanga trained with the team yesterday.
When asked on the absence of the two players, Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina referred queries to team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi, who was not reachable.
Mozambique team:
Goalkeepers: Caesar Machava, Pinto and Guirrugo
Defenders: Chico, Edmilson and Handy (Maputo Ferroviaro.); Gerson (Costa del Sol), Chico II (Sports League), Norberto (Ferroviarro Nacala.) And Cremildo (HCB)
Midfielders: Momed Hagy (Sports League) Parked, Osama (Costa del Sol), Diogo, Sassi (Ferroviarro de Maputo.) Nelito, Reinildo, Gildo (Ferroviarro Beira.), Kambala (HCB)
Strikers: Isaac (Maxaquene), Luis Miquissone, Maninho (Ferroviarro Beira.) Lanito, Nelson (Expenses Maputo)
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