By GWEN CHIPASULA –

ZAMBIA has expressed excitement at the draws for the 2016 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations where they have been drawn with hosts South Africa.
Futsal committee vice-chairperson Mauro Sanna said the draws were good and gave Zambia a good chance at the continental games.
Zambia Futsal team was drawn with host South Africa, Mozambique and Tunisia in the 2016 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations which Zambia qualified to after edging Equatorial Guinea in December last year.
Sanna said that Zambia has been drawn with countries that the team will be able to handle.
“It is a good draw, especially comparing it with the other group which looks very tough. Our target is to get past the group stage and I know we will manage it,” he said.
Sanna said the team commenced training on February 8 and will enter full residential camp for 10 to 15 days before the tournament.
He explained that Adrian Chama has been spared until mid-March as he is held up with his football club Green Buffaloes.
Chama who was also part of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) squad also has to be part of the Buffaloes squad to play the Charity Shield this weekend.
And Coach Augusto Lucio is expected in the country from Italy today ahead of preparations.
“We spared Chama as he was taking part in CHAN and has the Charity Shield this weekend. And the coach will be in the country today so all is set. We train three days in a week for now and we will commence with intensive training by March 1,” Sanna said.
Sanna praised his side as a good team standing a good chance to perform wonders and that the team will use the experience it got from Brazil Futsal Grand Prix it took part in 2015.
Zambia will kick-start the Africa Cup of Nations campaign on April 15 against Tunisia before playing Mozambique and then South Africa at the tournament.