By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Chipolopolo defender Benedict Chepeshi says Zambia are looking forward to their Zambezi derby against Zimbabwe at this weekend’s Four-nations friendly tournament in Malawi.
Zambia and Zimbabwe meet in their opening game on March, 23 at the friendly tournament Malawi is hosting from March 18-26 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Kenya and hosts Malawi complete the quartet for the 2024 March FIFA international match week who will also meet on March 23.
Winners will play each other in the final on March 26.
Chepeshi said in an interview in Lusaka prior to departure for Malawi on Tuesday “that the outing is going to be a great springboard before returning to competitive action in June in the 2026 FIFA World Cup E qualifiers.
“Very tough game. Zimbabwe has a good team, most of the players are European based,” Chepeshi said.
Zimbabwe have summoned 17 foreign based players including striker Tinotenda Kadewere of French club Nantes.
“Nice games we are going to have ahead. It is a good thing we have to prepare and see where we are as a team,” Chepeshi said.
“It is important to gauge ourselves and prepare well as a team plus gel with the new players.
“It is a good thing for us as a team to prepare and see where we are as a team.”
Avram Grant has named 12 foreign-based players in his 24-member team for the Four-nations friendly tournament.
This will be Zambia and Zimbabwe’s first meeting since March 29, 2021 in a 2021 AFCON Group H qualifier that Zambia won 2-0 away in Harare won courtesy of a Daka brace.
