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STRIKER Emmanuel Mayuka says the October 15 international friendly match against Brazil will help enhance the Chipolopolo’s reputation and boost the team’s confidence ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Mayuka, on loan with FC Sochaux from English side Southampton, told a French Sports daily publication L’equipe that he was looking forward to playing against Brazil in a friendly match to take place in Beijing, China.
He said the match, despite been just a friendly, would be tough especially that it would be the first time the Chipolopolo would be playing the five-time world champions who would be hosting the 2014 World Cup finals.
”We need a tough game like that. It’s better to be involved in such tough friendlies because it will enhance our reputation and it will prepare us for the 2015 Africa Cup qualifiers,” Mayuka said.
The former Kabwe Warriors hit-man also expressed sadness at the Chipolopolo’s failure to qualify for the final round of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers following a 2-1 defeat away to Ghana in Kumasi.
“It hurts a lot because we would have loved to play at the World Cup. It is every player’s dream to play at the World Cup.
“It’s really frustrating but that’s football, maybe it was not our time. I think we had a chance to qualify for the finals but somehow things did not work out,” Mayuka said.
Meanwhile, Mayuka, who made his debut in the French Ligue 1 in Sochaux’s 1-0 defeat at Nantes, said he was looking forward to rediscovering his scoring form in the league.
He said he had two good seasons with Young Boys in Switzerland and that he was hoping the same would happen while at Southampton.
Mayuka said he was happy to have joined the French side and pledged to perform well.
”My style remains the same because I play the same way I played before. It gives me great pleasure to play in the French league. It is one of the best in Europe with a lot of big name players,” Mayuka said.
Meanwhile, midfielder Mukuka Mulenga finally got his work permit and should start playing for his Mamelodi Sundowns side in the ABSA South African Premier League.
FIFA Players Agent Chiti Chitundu said in an interview yesterday that Mukuka got his permit on Tuesday and was in line to make an appearance for Sundowns having sustained an injury during the African Nations Championships qualifier.
On striker Evans Kangwa, Chitundu said he last spoke with the Nkana player about four weeks ago and had no idea where the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winning star was after his club declared him “absent without official leave (AWOL)”.
