Leone Stars boss coy about his side’s chances against Zambia 

Sierra Leone coach Amidu Karim says he is feeling the pressure ahead of Tuesday’s Group H Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Zambia at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium.

The Leone Stars started their campaign with a goalless draw against Chad and Karim told the media during Monday’s pre-match press conference that his side had prepared well for tomorrow’s encounter.

“As long as you are a coach in a team, you have to accept the pressure and our approach to tomorrow’s match, we know we drew our first match 0-0 so our approach is that we have to come here tomorrow to come and win.” Karim said.

“But football in Africa, I don’t predict it. We know Chipolopolo and Zambia are a very strong team so we are well prepared to play them. I am very optimistic about every match that I play. No two matches are the same, every match has a different approach. Yes, we know Zambia lost their last match (against Ivory Coast) but we know it’s a very strong team.”

Karim said his team was ready to ‘pick a fight’ against Chipolopolo to get their first win of the qualifying campaign.

“Me and my boys will be ready to pick up a fight with Zambia. We have quality players; all of my players are very important. The Zambia squad, yes, of course I have been following them. I played against Zambia in the U23s two years ago. I know they are very athletic players,” Karim said.

“They have a very good squad, even the ones that are playing abroad. Everybody is important in the Zambian team. We have to be very cautious about how we approach them and how we are going to play. Coming to Zambia, I always say it’s a difficult place to play. But this is football. Anything can happen at the end of the day.”

“First of all, I want to say a big thanks to the Zambian Federation (FAZ) for giving us good hospitality since we came in yesterday. Like my coach said earlier, we are well prepared because we know what it takes for us to qualify for the AFCON championship,” Stars assistant captain Yemi Dunia said.

By FAZ Media