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Zambian coach welcomes U23 CAF draws

Xinhua, September 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

Head coach of the Zambia U-23 national soccer team Fighton Simukonda said he was not afraid of the draws for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) mini-tournament, which is the final race to the 2016 Olympics Games in Brazil, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Tuesday.

During the draws conducted at CAF headquarters in Cairo on Monday, Zambia was placed in Group A of the eight-nation Olympic Games qualifying championship to be played from Nov. 28 to Dec. 12 in Senegal, with three medal winners securing slots at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.

Zambia is in Group A with hosts Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia, while Group B comprise Algeria, Egypt, Mali and Nigeria.

"There is no reason why this team, with the players we've got, can't go to the Olympics. It's the desire of every player that we qualify for Brazil. We have a very good team, and I'm sure we can do it,' he was quoted as saying by the paper.

While acknowledging that the tournament will not be easy, the coach said every team was beatable, adding that what matters was the preparations the team will undergo.

Zambia qualified to the CAF U23 tournament after edging Cote d'Ivoire 4-3 on penalties. Zambia last played at the Olympics Games in 1988. Endi