BEAUMELLE

By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA-
CHIPOLOPOLO coach Patrice Beaumelle says the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group F qualifying draw is fair but has warned against complacency.
The Chipolopolo will play Cape Verde and Niger including the ultimate winner of the knockout round ties involving Tanzania versus Zimbabwe/Mozambique versus South Sudan.
Beaumelle said in an interview from France on Sunday night after the draws were announced that there was a lot of hard work to be done ahead of the gruelling three-month long qualifying phase that will run fromSeptember 6 to November 19.
“I think it’s a fair draw, but we have to remain focused. It is never an easy job to qualify for AFCON,” Beaumelle said.
“And about the four teams in our group stage, it’s open. Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have all the chances to make it. It is going to be tough,” he added.
Chipolopolo will kick-off its Group F qualifying campaign at home on September 6 when they host the yet to be decided fourth side.
Beaumelle’s side will then make their first-ever visit to Cape Verde on September 10 before making another debut trip to Niger on October 11 whom they will host a week later on October 15.
Chipolopolo will play the fourth side in their penultimate game on November 15 before closing their Group F campaign on November 19 at home against Cape Verde.
The top two sides in Group F will qualify for the Africa Cup finals to be hosted by Morocco from January 17 toFebruary 8, 2015.