•ZAMBIA skipper, Rainford Kalaba (right) tries to get past Edmond Mouele of Gabon during an international friendly match on Tuesday evening at the Heroes National Stadium in Lusaka. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Picture by GWEN CHIPASULA

By SANDRA MWILA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has said Zambia’s preparations for the crucial FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier against Sudan are on the right track and that the friendly match against Gabon on Tuesday acted as a dress rehearsal.
The President, who was among thousands at Heroes National Stadium in Lusaka for the Gabon game on Tuesday evening, said the Chipolopolo were on the right path for the World Cup qualifiers in November.
President Lungu said the Chipolopolo put up a good show against the Panthers of Gabon and that he was not disappointed with the 1-1 draw.
“I am not disappointed with the draw, it is a good result. The Chipolopolo’s performance was good and the game was a dress rehearsal for the World cup qualifier against Sudan,” the President, who is Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) patron, said in an interview after watching the match.
President Lungu also commended coach ‘Chicken’ George Lwandamina for blending new and old players in the team.
Zambia will travel to Khartoum for the first leg of the second round before hosting the Falcons of Jediane in this two-legged affair between November 9 and 17.
Sports Minister, Vincent Mwale said the primary goal for the international friendly was to build a strong team.
Mwale said the draw was not disappointing considering that the coach was achieving his goal of forming a strong squad for upcoming tournaments.
He said the Panthers gave the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions a good preparatory warm up for the Sudan assignment.
Mwale commended FAZ for organising a worthy preparatory match but urged them to improve on the organisational part of the game.
“FAZ are better placed to know what aroused the confusion at the gates, it was a beautiful match but they can do better on the organisation,” he said.
Lwandamina said he was happy with the character and commitment of the players in the Gabon friendly and the AFCON qualifier against Kenya on Sunday which Zambia won 2-1.
He said the game against Gabon was tough considering that the Chipolopolo had to play two games in 48 hours.
“Gabon gave us a good run but we were resolute in defence; we denied them chances but they managed to score their goal through a penalty. We could have done better but we started with the same players who played in Nairobi.
“Playing two games in forty-eight hours was not easy for them and I had to make several changes in the second half to avoid muscle cramps,” Lwandamina said.
Lwandamina added that the friendly match against Gabon was a good platform for exposing players with less experience.
“I think the young boys did very well. They are trying very hard to come into the fold. They are young and strong and we need to praise them for their contribution. They have the potential and that is what is very important. “
Gabon coach, Stephane Boungouedza said his team capitalised on Zambia’s weaknesses to take the game to the hosts.
“Zambia is a very good team but we noticed that their central defenders were slow so we concentrated our play on the wings where we have quick players. That strategy worked well for us because it resulted in us winning a penalty.
“Our initial strategy was to defend but we also observed that our opponent’s finishing was very poor despite their excellent display in build up. We also took advantage of that,” Boungouedza said.