ROBINSON KUNDA
Lusaka
MINISTRY of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe has urged Confederation of African Football (CAF) inter-club representatives power Dynamos and Red Arrows to get desired results in this weekend’s preliminary round return fixtures.
Power host Sudanese giants Al Merrikh in the CAF Champions League tomorrow at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola while Red Arrows tackle FC Rouge of Madagascar in the Confederation Cup in Port Louis, Mauritius, on Sunday.
Chileshe said in an interview on Wednesday that the two teams need to remain focused as they fly Zambia’s flag high.
“I would encourage them to prepare for these games well. I am not talking about preparations for just now, I mean even what they have been able to do in the build-up. They have to apply what they have been doing in training in the past,” he said.
Chileshe said continental competitions are important and it will be good if Power and Arrows advance to the first round.
“I urge them to take the games seriously as they always do, and as Government we always stand ready to give them all the support they need,” he said.
Chileshe appealed to the nation to support the two teams as they are not only representing their clubs but the whole nation.
Power lost the first leg in Kigali 1-0 and will need to beat Al Merrikh by two unanswered goals to progress, while Arrows are carrying a 2-0 advantage.
Arrows are expected to leave for Mauritius today.
FC Rouge are hosting their home match in the neighbouring country because Madagascar has no venue that has been certified to host international matches.
