President Michael Sata, has sent a message of goodwill to the Zambia national soccer team ahead of the 29th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations finals, which kicks off in South Africa this weekend.
This is contained in a press statement availe to Breeze News by the Presidents Special Assistant for Press and Publlic Relations Goerge Chellah.
The President says the Chipolopolo boys should once again represent the country with determination, passion and pride to overcome all obstacles they will encounter at the 16-nation tournament.
He has urged the team to maximise their unlimited potential, as they did at the 2012 edition in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, and aim for the ultimate prize.
President Sata says as champions, the burden to prove their true worthiness is greater, and that of equal proportion should be their ambition to remain the top team on the continent.
The Head of State, who is also Football Association of Zambia FAZ patron, urged the team to turn every challenge into an opportunity and exploit their chances to the fullest.
He says his personal and Government’s support of the team is borne not only out of the love for football but strong conviction in the unending potential of the boys, backroom staff and FAZ officials.
Zambia are in Group C with 1994 champions Nigeria, 1962 winners Ethiopia and Burkina Faso at the competition which starts on January 19 and ends on February 10.