By SANDRA MWILA –
AS Zambia await draws for the Senegal 2015 African Under-23 Championship next month, midfielder Lubambo Musonda believes the side has what it takes to finish among the top three.
Lubambo is also confident that the technical bench will work on the striking problem which has engulfed the team before the competition gets under way in November.
Zambia beat Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties after the two-legged qualifier ended 0-0 to qualify for the championship scheduled for November 28 to December 12 with the draws set for September 14.
The top three teams will represent Africa at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games while the fourth-placed team at the tournament will face an Asian side in a play-off for a slot at the Brazil Games.
But Lubambo, who missed the final round return leg clash owing to club commitments, said in an interview from Armenia yesterday that Zambia was capable of finishing in the top three and qualify for the Olympics.
“The Under-23 team has what it takes to finish in top three at the Senegal Championship regardless of which teams we will face. Every player will just have to put in his best and we need adequate preps to realise our dream,” he said.
Lubambo, who recently signed a two-year contract with Gandzasar Kapana FC, said it was unfortunate that Zambia last featured for the Olympics in 1988 and that it was time the team made an appearance at the event.
“I think all that has to be done is for every player to put in extra effort. We have what it takes to be the best. We won’t just say it but prove it on the pitch in Senegal,” he said.
Lubambo said the team proved their capabilities by qualifying to the Senegal championship.
“The team fought hard during the qualifiers and we will do the same in Senegal. The ultimate goal is to qualify to the Rio Olympics,” Lubambo said.
Meanwhile, on the team failure to score goals, Lubambo said it was not a matter to worry about as the team had capable strikers who would come alive at the competition.
“We might have not scored as many goals during the qualifiers but it’s not something to worry about because we have capable strikers and the technical bench noted the concern and they will work on it,” he said.