Newly appointed Chipolopolo coach Milutin Sredojevic popularly known as Micho has stated that the biggest challenge that Zambian soccer players have is the lack of mental strength. Micho stated that “I know that Zambian football has no problem in talent and quality, however, strongly believe that the biggest problem we have is the level of mental strength.”
During the unveiling ceremony at Barca Academy, Micho said that although other suitors had been on his case, he was more convinced that the Zambian expedition provided the most exciting challenge.
“I had chances and options to go somewhere it is much more comfortable but my respect for Zambian football made the decision easy. It is a big challenge, it is not a walk in the park”
In statement made available to Zambia Business Times – ZBT, Micho said he was preaching a never die spirit for the Zambian game under his watch. “As Zambian football we shall not allow things to get away from us, never say die, and never give up needs to be our identity. We have to do everything we can to show that we belong where we belong.”
The Serbian national said that Zambian players needed a stronger mental psyche to succeed in foreign soils. “You know it is painful that countries below Zambia have players in Aston Villa, all countries are watching Mbwana Samata (Tanzanian) playing for Atson Villa, yet as Zambia we have none,” he said.
Micho further stated that he has seven phase plan that has its tip, Zambia playing at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“I would like to present to you a technical master plan, that has seven phases, and a dream on top of that pyramid. In ghose seven phases we have the dream of going to the World Cup Qatar in 2022,” he said.
“Any success in life starts with a dream, I would like us not only to dream when we are sleeping but even when we are awake with our eyes open. We have an oblia to go beyond the March 26 match against Botswana, the match against Botswana is not played on the 26th but it is starting to be played now.”
a said he will have deep assessment of local players, continental and European based players as he builds his squad.
“We want to go and do deepest assessment of the present state of the players that as individuals are supposed to be the Parsifal mosaic the national team, to have a bracket of players playing locally, playing in Africa and brackets of players playing worldwide. And put those brackets of players in right shape of mind that is extremely strong,” he said.
Micho added: “I am standing here in front of you in order to make our team mentally strong, physically fit, technically effective and tactically competitive because it is all about that result. We are not here only for a beauty contest of course to have a theoretical awareness of what is in front us.”
Meanwhile Kamanga said Micho would get down to work immediately with the task of salvaging the Cameroon 2021 Africa Cup of Nations dream.
Zambia plays Botswana on March 26 at home while the Chipolopolo will be away on March 31 on back to back fixtures that will be critical in putting the AFCON campaign back on track.
The Chipolopolo also have the CHAN tournament in April where they are among the 16 African countries battling for honours.
Zambia has also the World Cup campaign on radar in October where they are grouped with Tunisia, Mauritania and Equatorial Guinea.
Micho takes over from Sven Vandenbroeck whose contract was not renewed in March 2019 after failing to qualify Zambia to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
He has been signed on a two year contract and will be joined by two foreign coaches comprising his first assistant and goalkeeper trainer.
Micho will also have Oswald Mutapa as his local assistant and Stephen Mwansa as goalkeeper coach who will understudy the foreign goalkeeper coach.
