ZAMBIA coach George Lwandamina says his charges are eager to maintain their dominance over Mozambique but will not underrate the Mambas.
And Mozambique coach Helder ‘Mano Mano’ Muianga said his team is looking forward to getting at least a draw in tomorrow’s 2016 Rwanda African Nations Championship final round first leg.
Lwandamina said in an interview yesterday after his charges whitewashed Young Zesco United 6-0 in a training match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola that victory over the Mambas is a must.
“My expectations on Saturday are high and mine are not different from any Zambian. Our preparations have been working towards maximising on points,” Lwandamina said.
He said the team will not be complacent because most of the players are doing fine at club level.
“I doubt if they will be complacent on Saturday. The game itself will be a motivating factor and that is enough for them [the players],” Lwandamina said.
Zambia have not lost to Mozambique in 17 matches – winning 15 and drawing two.
Lwandamina urged fans to rally behind the team saying the 12th player will motivate the players to ‘go for a kill’.
And Winston Kalengo grabbed a hat-trick, Conlyde Luchanga netted a double and Paul Katema contributed the other goal in the beating of Young Zesco United.
Lwandamina started with Jacob Banda in goal while Benedict Chepeshi, Boyd Mkandawire, Christopher Munthali and Buchizya Mfune were in defence.
Jackson Chirwa, Salulani Phiri, Charles Zulu and Kennedy Mudenda were dictating play in midfield.
Kalengo and Festus Mbewe were in attack.
Katema replaced Phiri and Luchanga went in for Mbewe in the second-half.
Goalkeeper Danny Munyao, who joined the team on Wednesday afternoon, replaced Toaster Nsabata.
Nsabata had replaced Banda.
Meanwhile, Muianga said in an interview at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola that the technical bench has an idea of how Zambia plays.
“We know that it will be a difficult match, especially that we are playing away from home against a big team like Zambia. We respect them, we know that Zambia is a good team but we have a chance to redeem ourselves and surprise them. This is a game of football.
“If we can come out of here with a draw, I think it is a good result. But we are not saying it’s going to be easy in Maputo. Any game that you play against Zambia anywhere is tough but if we can come out of Zambia with a draw, that will be a bonus,” Muianga said.
He said the mood in camp is high after a week-long training camp in Nelspruit, South Africa.
The Mozambicans will be without first-choice goalkeeper Caesar Machava, who is nursing a knee injury.
A 28-member team touched down at 12:40 hours and was received by Football Association of Zambia executive committee member Pivoty Simwanza.
The visitors are accommodated at Moba Hotel in Kitwe.
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