Zambia midfielder Salulani Phiri has said he is looking forward to playing against Sadio Mane-led Senegal in a friendly tomorrow.
The South Africa-based Phiri spoke to Zambia Football Association website ahead of the match.
Phiri said coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has assembled a strong squad capable of matching Senegal.
“It is an important game for us, as you know it is one of the last windows before the games (FIFA World Cup qualifiers) in September,” he told FAZ website.
“It has given us an opportunity to work on ourselves, you know we have not qualified to the Africa Cup for three times so the preparations starts now so that we can do better in the next qualifiers.”
He added that he was looking forward to playing against the star-studded opponents led by Mane of Liverpool.
“Senegal is a big nation; it is a giant in terms of football so I think looking at our local professionals they need to get an opportunity to play big games against players like Mane and others,” he said.
“Of course, every game needs to be won, we must win, we have to play with our heater. The coach and management have done everything, it is up to us to pay back.”
Zambia face Senegal on Saturday then Benin in Cotonou on Tuesday during the June FIFA Window. The final game will be against Sudan in Omdurman on June 11.
Four foreign based players are part of the squad with Kings Kangwa (Arsenal Tula-Russia), Cyril Chibwe, Phiri (both Polokwane City-RSA) and Ntanzana Mayembe (Cardiff City).
The Europe based trio of Fashion Sakala (Glasgow Rangers), Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu (Red Bull Salzburg-Austria) will miss the friendly games to conclude their club switches.
Sweden based Emmanuel Banda (Djurgardens), Lubambo Musonda (Slask Wroclaw-[Poland) and Edward Chilufya are out due to injuries.
FULL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Cyril Chibwe (Polokwane City, South Africa), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors), Gregory Sianjase (Young Green Eagles)
DEFENDERS:Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe,DRC), Isaac Shamujompa, Golden Mafwenta (Buildcon), Benedict Chepeshi, Prosper Chiluya (both Red Arrows), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Makabaniso Magenge (Lusaka Dynamos)
MIDFIELDERS: Benson Sakala, Spencer Sautu (both Power Dynamos), Salulani Phiri (Polokwane City, South Africa), Amity Shamende (Green Eagles), Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors)
FORWARDS: Collins Sikombe (Lusaka Dynamos), Moses Phiri, Rogers Kola (both Zanaco) Ntazana Mayembe (Cardiff City, Wales), Brian Mwila (Buildcon)