From FELIX MALUNGA –

In Ebebiyin
TEENAGE midfielder, Lubambo Musonda is living his lifetime dream of starring at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as Zambia readies for tomorrow’s Group B decider against Cape Verde.
Musonda made his AFCON debut against Tunisia on Thursday where he put up a virtuoso performance, running rings round the Carthage Eagles defenders and was unlucky not to score on a least two occasions.
The 19-year-old Armenia-based midfielder said it had always been his dream to play at Africa’s biggest football showpiece and that he was happy to be accorded his lifetime desire.
“It feels very nice playing in the Africa Cup. It’s a big tournament, it’s been my dream. It’s a nice feeling to be at this big stage,” the FC Ulisses player, who turns 20 on March 1, said.
He, however, regretted that the Chipolopolo lost 1-2 to the Carthage Eagles on his AFCON debut despite Zambia dominating the match.
“It was just unfortunate that we lost my first game. We missed a lot of chances it is part of the game, they only had two chances on goal and managed to punish us,” Musonda said.
Despite losing to Tunisia, the Under-20 skipper still believes Zambia would come to the party tomorrow and collect maximum points from Cape Verde to reach the quarter-finals.
Musonda said the Chipolopolo were in high spirits and determined to beat the Blue Sharks at Estadio de Ebebiyin and storm the last eight.
“Looking at the spirit, we are determined to get the three points from that game (Cape Verde) and see if we can proceed to the quarter finals. After the tournament, I want to continue doing what I know best (playing good football),” he said.
After participating in the Equatorial Guinea AFCON, Musonda said he would switch his attention to the Senegal 2015 African Youth Championship where he would lead the national under-20 squad in search for glory.