“HARD WORK IS REQUIRED” – VEEP

Vice President Mutale Nalumango has urged the Zambia football team to look to the future as the Chipolopolo prepares for the uninterrupted Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Mauritania and Tunisia.

In an interview, The VEEP advised the team to put aside the past results and focus on the future “We always want the best from the team and all we want is the team not to lose heart. They should not look to the past but look to the future,” she said. Zambia failed to advance to the final round of the World Cup qualifiers after identical 2-0 defeats against Tunisia (home) and Equatorial Guinea (away) to leave the 2012 African champions third in the group with four points after a win over Mauritania and draw against Equatorial Guinea. Tunisia leads the group with 10 points followed by Equatorial Guinea on seven points while Mauritania has one point.

Zambia hosts Mauritania on November 13 at National Heroes Stadium then plays Tunisia three days later in Tunis to wrap up group B qualifiers. Her honour, Madam Nalumango urged the team not to lose hope but look beyond World Cup qualifiers. She said the current situation faced by the team required everyone’s support in order for the team to bounce back to the glory days the country was known for.“Hard work is required because there is nothing you can achieve without it. A win will make us proud as a country and I am sure they (players) know the excitement they bring to the country when they win,” she said. She urged the team to approach the two remaining qualifiers with confidence and put the interest of the country first as they represent Zambia. She added that it was important to note that the Bible encouraged people to look to the almighty when times are hard.“On behalf of the government, we wish the Chipolopolo all the best and let them represent Zambia in the best possible way. When times are hard, the Bible says remember your Lord, your God and he will give you strength to carry on,” she said.