Wada Eyes COSAFA Redemption as Zambia Gears Up for 2025 Tournament
Coach Wedson Nyirenda says the local assemblage for the Cosafa tournament is looking to bury the ghosts of last year’s edition where Zambia exited at the first hurdle.
Speaking after Thursday’s training session, Nyirenda who will lead the Cosafa squad alongside Beston Chambeshi, Perry Mutapa, Stephen Mwansa and Chintu Kampamba said he was wary of the threat posed by teams like Comoros and Botswana to his side’s championship aspirations.
The session was watched by FAZ president Keith Mweemba who interacted with the players and technical bench after the 2-0 win over Leopards Hill Football Club in a practice match.
Goals from Titus Chansa and Kelvin Mwanza proved the difference in a practice match played over three quarters at Edwin Imboela Stadium.
“Gauging from this test match we have seen today, there are just a few things we need to be touched, otherwise the team is looking good and they have not lost shape,” said Wada.
The gaffer said his squad was bent on exorcising the memories of last year’s edition by working harder.
“Everyone is looking good, having done what we did last year (Cosafa first round exit) it is a big concern for them and we need to go and change the narration in this edition. I think that is the way that we are preparing,” he said.
Nyirenda who is popularly known as Wada said teams with a lesser pool of players to tap from were more dangerous as their players got exposure across various competitions whether continental or FIFA sanctioned games.
“Teams like Eswatini, Lesotho when you are going to Cosafa, you do not expect a different team from the team they use in other competitions. It is the same team they are using; they do not have the luxury to depend on someone in Europe. It the same team they use in AFCON and World Cup qualifiers. They have an upper hand if you go with one eye closed you are doomed,” he said.
Zambia is in Group D alongside Botswana and Comoros Islands.
The record seven-time champions will open its account on June 6 against the Islanders before facing the Zebras.
Zambia is using the Cosafa outing as part of preparation for the African Nations Championship to be played in August in Kenya/Uganda/Tanzania.
By FAZ Media
