Pre-match quotes: Zambia vs Uganda

Wedson Nyirenda (Head Coach, Zambia)

The team is ready for the tournament opener against Uganda on Sunday. We are well prepared and beat Orlando Pirates (South African club) 3-1 in a friendly before travelling here. The players are here to showcase their quality and we are looking forward to go in the tournament. Uganda has been a thorn in our flesh in recent times and won’t be easy to beat. They (Uganda) have come of age and play good football. They have a group of matured players who have played in the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. We also have experience and it will be an interesting affair. We can go all the way but our objective is to better the performance at the last edition (quarter finals).

The fact that Zambia beat Uganda (1-0 at the group stage in 2016) means nothing as far as this game is concerned. I do not believe in past performances.

Ziyo Tembo (Captain, Zambia)

All the players are fit and we have major injury worries. We want to go all the way to the final. Our approach is one match after the other.

Sebastien Desabre (Head Coach, Uganda)

I have been with the team for the last ten days following my appointment. I opted to sign because Uganda has so much potential and I want to work to imporove the level of the national team.

The first game in every competition is always the most important. Zambia is a good side and we are ready to face them. It is 50-50 for either side. Our target is to win the first game.

Uganda has failed to go past the group stage in the three previous editions (2011, 2014, 2016) and our first objective is to do better by reaching the knockout stage.

The second objective is to evaluate the players for the upcoming qualifiers of the Africa Cup of Nations in March.

Bernard Muwanga (Captain, Uganda)

The first game is very important if we have to qualify out of the group stage. Expectations are high of us and we are prepared for the tournament.