Polokwane City goalkeeper Cyril Mwenya Chibwe says he is delighted to be back in the Chipolopolo squad for the first time since November 2019.

Chibwe becomes the seventh foreign based play to join camp after Clatous Chota Chana, Rally Bwalya, Nathan Sinkala, Kabaso Chongo, Tandi Mwape and Gamphani Lungu.

“It’s been a long time since I was in Zambia, it feels good to be home, the breath of fresh air in mother Zambia makes me humbled to be in camp,” he said.

Chibwe, who is in the country for the back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria and Zimbabwe, believes the Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic drilled side has specific instructions for each player which will culminate in the team producing results.

“We still have a chance, it’s just a matter of going out there and do the job and will see the rest later on,” said Chibwe.

“It’s very important to cement a place in the national team because this is the first camp with coach Micho so I need to prove and work hard and show him that I am willing to work and then it’s up to him and the technical staff to decide who plays and we have to support that.”

Chibwe arrived alongside Supersport United striker Gamphani Lungu, who has urged his fellow players to concentrate on the Algeria match first before thinking of next week’s last qualifier away to Zimbabwe.

“We all know what is at stake here; we haven’t been to the AFCON for a while now and we want to get there and everyone that is coming for this game knows what we are fighting for,” Lungu said.

“Let’s not think of Zimbabwe now but Algeria right now. Let’s take one game at a time. We are fighting for our nation and we need to get the best result. We are home (against) Algeria and that is the start point.”

While pledging to sweat for the country, Lungu also believes the current crop of national team players have what it takes to represent Zambia at the highest level.

“Our team has all the qualities we can ask for because in every department, but we just need to keep on working hard and trusting each other, fight for each other and the country,” he added.

“I am going to run my lungs out on the field for the country and it’s up to the coaches who get to pick the team that can carry the day. I am asking for our fans to rally behind us.”

Zambia hosts Algeria on Thursday in a 21:00 hours kick-off that will be played behind closed doors owing to a CAF directive in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chipolopolo lie bottom of Group H on three points but can overturn their fortunes with positive results against Algeria and Zimbabwe.

Soka25east.com