COSAFA Cup: Zambia must target strong finish despite elimination – Kalumba

Photo Credit - Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).

Zambia national team goalkeeper Charles Kalumba has called on his teammates to go for a strong finish despite early elimination from the COSAFA Cup tournament in South Africa.

The Chipolopolo were knocked out of the COSAFA Cup for the second consecutive year after a 0-0 draw between Comoros and Botswana sealed their fate. Comoros now lead Group D with four points, while Zambia can only reach a maximum of three points if they win against Botswana in their final group stage match on Wednesday.

“I think going into our last game we have to do our best so that at least we finish strong, which is going to set the tone for us in the upcoming games,” Kalumba told FAZ media. “The coaches have been talking to us, even the players have been talking. There are things we have to work on which will help us in the upcoming tournament.

“We need to put in more effort to win and score goals because we haven’t done so in the COSAFA Cup since last year, and we haven’t kept a clean sheet. That will give us a good direction to score goals.”

Zambia kicked off their Group D campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Comoros. They will face Botswana on Wednesday, June 11, at Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein. This year’s COSAFA Cup is serving as preparation for the African Nations Championship (CHAN).