Zambia coach calls friendly against Bafana ‘cup final'

New Zambia coach Moses Sichone is treating Saturday’s friendly as “a cup final” as he makes his debut in charge of the team just over one month from the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

Sichone has replaced Avram Grant as coach after a poor World Cup qualifying campaign and wants to start on a winning note when his side take on Bafana Bafana in Gqeberha.

Both teams are using the game as a warm-up ahead of the Cup of Nations, which kicks off on December 21.

“Of course, we are expecting a tough game against South Africa, and we're not just going there to go and play. We are taking it so seriously because we want to win the game,” said the new coach

“Because South Africa qualified for the World Cup, it's a good test for us. I am treating it like a cup final.”

Sichone said he had not yet settled on his selection for the tournament in Morocco.

“The door is still open. I mean, players who are doing well in the local league still stand the chances. We are trying to balance the team with the old players, and new ones. As long as they are Zambians, like I said, the door is open for everyone. All we want is guys who are ready to die for the country, who are ready to show their talent.”

Sichone played in the Bundesliga and went to three Cup of Nations finals as a player, but this is a first major coaching appointment.

“I've been in football for quite a long time, of course, you know, coming as a former football player, and then going into coaching. I think the most important thing is I'm grateful to have this opportunity, and, yeah, I think it's not just a matter of proving a point or what here, I know that I'm representing the whole entire 20 million people of Zambia. Definitely, otherwise, I would have not been here.”

Sichone said he understood there were high expectations. “People are looking for results, but one thing we shouldn't be forgetting is we've been having upside-down situations. Of course, we will try our level best to make sure we play as well as we can,” he told reporters.