Time for experiments is gone, says Micho

SUN SPORTS writes@SunZambianZAMBIA national team coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic said time for experiments is gone and the team will now have to focus on the crucial AFCON qualifiers against Botswana next month.The Serbian said the international friendly matches against Malawi, Kenya South Africa and Ethiopia have given him insight on how to combine players both local and foreign for the set objective of redeeming Zambia’s hopes of qualifying for the AFCON is achieved.Speaking on arrival from Ethiopia where the local Chipolopolo squad beat Ethiopia 3-2 and 3-1 in two friendly games, Micho said he now has a clear projection of what is to be done with the national team first 11 in the best case scenario.Micho said he also has back-up plans and the team is ready for anything in cases where professional players fail to come from their bases due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.He said the friendly matches have made local players to become “special forces” ready for any challenge ahead.“The five friendly games played have been an investment where we have tried, tested and experimented on the players to get a clear picture, together with the professional players outside where we are and what we need to do to improve before the important matches against Botswana,” said Micho.“We need to approach Botswana with the highest degree of respect like we are playing against Germany or Spain to get the desired result. It will be hard but I believe in the work we do and the players we have.”He hailed the players for being very coachable, very ready to serve the nation to putting in extra effort be-cause they are proud and happy to carry the jersey of the national team and turn the Chipolopolo dreams into a reality.Micho, however, noted that there is need for the team to improve especially in defence despite having won four games from the five friendly matches played this month against Malawi, Kenya, South Africa and Ethiopia. The Sun