Fit-again Zambia defender Frankie Musonda is happy to be back in the national team set up ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Musonda who is on the books of Scottish side Ayr United missed out on the last two fixtures for the Chipolopolo but is back to full fitness and speaking ahead of the tournament that kicks off on January 13, Musonda said he was fit and focused on the task ahead.

“I am very excited, it was unfortunate to get injured in October and it carried on into November, I just missed out, but I have been back for six to seven weeks now,” said Musonda as quoted by FAZ Media.

Read Also: AFCON 2023: Zambia group fair but we must get ready – Banda

He added when queried about Zambia’s group in Ivory Coast: “Very exciting group, tough opponents that is why we all qualified to this stage, everyone is a good team, everyone knows what they are doing. Each game will be tough but again each we think we can win so very exciting, and we just have to concentrate.”

Musonda further urged the fans to rally behind the Chipolopolo at the tournament in their quest to return to the summit of the African game. “We are going to be working very hard and we will concentrate on the task at hand. I am sure we will feel your support at home and on platforms like social media and staff like that. We are just hoping to make you proud,” he added.

The Chipolopolo have set up a pre-tournament camp in Saudi Arabia where they will play Cameroon on January 9 in an international friendly match. Zambia will then head to Ivory Coast on January 11 where Morocco, Congo DR, and Tanzania lie in wait.

The Chipolopolo will open their AFCON campaign on January 17 against Congo DR before facing Tanzania four days later and wind up their Group F encounters on January 24 against Morocco.