Red Arrows skipper Saddam Phiri says his teammates will not fall in the trap of thinking their opponents are no longer as fearsome as their reputation.

Speaking during a pre-match press conference, Phiri said the team was preparing was anticipating a tough test on Saturday. “The boys are ready, we have been preparing the whole week knowing we are playing a top team in Africa. We won’t have it easy but we have to work hard,” he said.

“We are not deceived by everyone saying Mazembe is not doing fine. We know it is not a small team. All the boys know that we have to fight hard to get a good result. They have not been playing well recently but they are a top side.”

He added: “We need a positive attitude in tomorrow’s game, we might be training well but if our attitude is not there as players it will not be good to win the game.”

Phiri appealed to fans to rally behind the Zambian champions in tomorrow’s CAF match. “We need the supporters in tomorrow’s game, we can’t just play the game without them. We need all the supporters to cheer to push us to work hard,” he said.

The airmen host TP Mazembe at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday in the second round, first leg of the CAF Champions League.