MUMBA SAYS IRAQ OUTING GOOD TEST FOR LOCAL PLAYERS
FAZ vice president Justin Mumba says the Iraq international friendly match had given local players a good test as they prepare from forthcoming CHAN qualifiers.
And Mumba has thanked the Iraq Football Association for being wonderful hosts to the Zambian team.
Speaking to the FAZ media team after the Iraq versus Zambia match, Mumba said the match proved a worth baptism for the local players given the packed Al Madina Stadium.
“It was important for the local players to have this friendly as it has given them the exposure that they needed going forward,” he said.
“To play under an atmosphere where the stadium is almost full and play a team that is almost 90% full strength. It gave them a good training ground to prepare for the upcoming games going forward.”
He added: “We will be playing our CHAN qualifiers in June, we needed to begin to prepare and see who is ready to compete, I think that was the most important part.”
A full-strength Iraq squad beat Zambia 3-1 at the Al Madina Stadium in a match Chipolopolo coach Aljosa Asanovic was running the rule on local players.