Zambia Air Force Commander Lt Gen Oscar Nyoni has rallied Red Arrows Football Club to rise to the occasion and secure victory against South African giants Kaizer Chiefs in Friday’s decisive CAF Confederation Cup tie.
The Airmen are headed to Durban for the second leg of the second-round clash, holding a slender but vital 1-0 lead from the first leg played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Malian striker Alassane Diarra scored the all-important goal in the 76th minute to give the Zambian ABSA Cup champions the advantage.
On Tuesday, Lt Gen Nyoni visited the team at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, where he watched their final training session and delivered a message of confidence.
He reminded the players of their pedigree as champions and their resilience in both domestic and continental competitions.
“What I know about Red Arrows is that you are champions. As Airmen, I have known you to always rise above challenges and obstacles. This is our nature and should not be anything unusual. Go there and play the game, you have been champions here and even in the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA),” he said.
The ZAF Commander urged the squad to approach the return leg with belief, composure and a winning mentality.
“You should believe in yourselves. You are champions, you are stars. Play without pressure and just deliver the results,” he added.
Lt Gen Nyoni also assured the club of more support should they progress to the group stage of the competition, providing extra motivation for the team.
With a place in the group stage at stake, Red Arrows will need a combination of defensive discipline and attacking intent to finish the job against Amakhosi in Durban and continue their continental journey.
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