Zambia Futsal National Team Ready to Shine at Africa Cup of Nations, Says Coach Cristoforetti
As the Africa Cup of Nations Futsal tournament kicks off in Rabat, Zambia’s national team coach, Andrea Cristoforetti, expresses confidence in his team’s ability to represent the country with excellence.
With their first match against Ghana looming, Cristoforetti remains focused on taking it one game at a time, aiming to secure at least two victories in the group stage to advance to the semifinals.
During a pre-match press conference, Cristoforetti emphasized the significance of the tournament, highlighting the rigorous preparations his team has undergone in recent weeks. “We are in good shape to enjoy this tournament first of all,” he remarked, stressing the importance of making Zambia proud on the continental stage.
Acknowledging the tough competition ahead, Cristoforetti singled out the opening match against Ghana as pivotal. “Our final is the first game against Ghana,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of a strong start in the tournament.
While acknowledging Morocco’s formidable reputation in futsal, Cristoforetti maintained a positive outlook, recognizing the challenge they pose to all teams. “Morocco is playing the best futsal in the world,” he acknowledged, highlighting the host nation’s recent unbeaten record.
Despite the stiff competition, Cristoforetti remained optimistic about Zambia’s chances of securing a spot in the FIFA World Cup. “Our ambitions must always be the greatest,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for his team to deliver exceptional performances to achieve their goals.
Zambia’s journey in the Africa Cup of Nations begins tomorrow against Ghana at the Salle Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 hours CAT. The team will then face Angola on Saturday before concluding the group stage with a challenging match against Morocco on Tuesday.
With only the top two teams from the tournament securing qualification to the FIFA World Cup in Uzbekistan, the stakes are high for Zambia as they aim to make their mark on the global stage of futsal.
