JOIN DRIVERN TAXI AS PARTNER DRIVER TODAY!
SUDAN may be down but they say they are not out. Coach Hamdam Hamad says his team is in Zambia to win and qualify for the group stage of the 2018 Russia World Cup finals.
And Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina says tomorrow’s return leg against Sudan will not be easy and must be approached with seriousness.
Zambia beat Sudan 1-0 at Karema Stadium in Karima on Wednesday night and hope to finish off the visitors to enter the group stage of the competition.
In an interview at Ndola’s Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport yesterday, Hamad said the Sudanese are eager to upset tables at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
“We have come here to win and every game that we play we try to play to win. We will fight to the end on Sunday. It will not be easy. Zambia is a big team. They were African champions in 2012 and I know they are a very good team. The game is not going to be easy,” he said.
Hamad said tomorrow’s match is important for the Sudanese.
He also admitted that the bad pitch at Karema Stadium affected their style of play but promised good football tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Lwandamina said the Chipolopolo will not underrate the Sudanese.
“It was a good result. As you know, it was not easy playing away from home and if you record a win, that is a positive approach.
“This is a different game altogether and what is important is to bury what is history and focus on the next game. It will not be easy; they are wounded and we have to approach it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
Lwandamina said the technical bench will work on the flaws exposed in Karima.
He is optimistic his strikers will get goals tomorrow.
And Israel-based striker Evans Kangwa, who missed Wednesday’s match, has joined the Chipolopolo.
Kangwa of Hapoel Ra’anana was at the airport to receive the team.
The Ethiopian Airlines plane carrying the two teams and match officials touched down at 13:54hours.
Copperbelt permanent secretary Howard Sikwela and Ndola mayor Samuel Munthali, Football Association of Zambia officials and a number of soccer fans received the teams.
