MUKWIMA CHILALA writes
THE die is cast as Zambia’s representatives in the CAF champions league Green Eagles take on decorated South African side Orlando Pirates in a preliminary match to be played at Lusaka’s Nkoloma stadium this afternoon.
Eagle’s coach Aggrey Chiyangi said despite his opponents having a higher pedigree, his team would not be intimidated because it also had all the necessary experience of playing at such a higher level.
Chiyangi said his charges had played so many games not only in the Zambian league but in the confederations cup and the CECAFA which had given them a lot of experience.
“We are not intimidated, zero percent intimidation, the reason is very simple, we have played so many games especially that we have been playing in the Zambian super league, the confederation and had a chance to play in the CECAFA, meaning that the players have gained a lot of experience so intimidation for now is out of sight,’’ Chiyangi said.
He said in football everything came step by step, so the only good thing was that Eagles’ graph had been growing.
“It is not going down, so when we play Pirates it is going to be a learning phase, so for us we are taking it very positively and if they make a mistake we are going to capitalize on it,” he said.
Chiyangi however declared his team ready for the game saying only two players would miss the game due to injury but that he had other players who would take up their places.
Meanwhile Pirates have snubbed the Zambian press, by staying away from the pre match press conference which was scheduled for yesterday at 10:45 hours at Football House.
Pirates failed to show up despite several reminders from the Eagles media officer Faith Kaira to them.
Piates could not grant interviews to Zambian Journalist on arrival at the Kenneth Kaunda international Airport on Thursday.
According to CAF rules, teams are penalized for failure to attend a pre-match press conference.
