COACH Honour Janza says the 2-0 victory over Malawi is a good motivation for the boys ahead of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Senior Challenge Cup that kicks off this Sunday in South Africa.
The COSAFA defending champions Zambia beat Malawi 2-0 in an international friendly match played on Sunday at Lusaka’s Nkoloma Stadium.
Zambia will kick-off the title defence in the quarter-finals against winners of Group A that has Zimbabwe, Seychelles and Mauritius.
Janza said the friendly gave the technical bench an insight of what is lacking in different players before declaring the team ready.
“The win has really raised the momentum in the boys. We needed this result before going for the COSAFA. The boys played well especially in the first half. Malawi is a good side and has given us a good taste of football, “he said.
He, however, said he will not be complacent with the victory because he was still not satisfied with the boy’s absorption of his philosophy.
Meanwhile, Janza said Patson Daka was a promising striker for Zambia.
“ Daka is a player that can do wonders for Zambia’s frontline. He has a good body structure and character of a good striker. What he needs is support and more play time to gain exposure. Despite him not finding the net in this game, I am confident that with time he will do it for the nation, “he said.
Malawi coach Young Chimodzi said experience won Zambia the game because his lads could not cope with professional players.
Chimodzi said his team consisted of local players that had never played an international game.
“I must state that experience won Zambia the game. Zambia played well making runs in all positions which was difficult for my players to manage.
I am glad that Zambia included professional players and gave Malawi a good game.
The league season just started two weeks ago so the boys were not physically fit compared to Zambia,’’ he said.