Lombard chasing titles
Sensational defender Teberius Lombard is in fine form as his side Zanaco plots an upset in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Brave Warriors and Zanaco defender Tiberius Lombard said his ambitions are to help his Zambian Super League club do well in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Silverware is the focus for the club, Lombard said, as the draw for the quarter-finals will be held today in Cairo, with group winners and runners-up kept apart.
The quarter-finals are due to played in March, with the semi-finals happening in May after the Chan competition takes place in April with Cameroon as host.
The Namibian, who joined Zanaco from Lusaka Dynamos last June on a two-year contract, said making the top eight is an achievement he will forever cherish as he is the first Namibian to achieve the feat playing for the Zambian League. He however added that the real work starts now.
Zanaco squeezed through to the quarter-finals following a 1-1 away draw against RS Berkane at Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco.
It was a vital point for the Zambians, who topped the group with just a point.
“It was an intense match as we came from the back to draw. We now look forward to the next stage.”
Lombard, who has made Zambia his second home, said playing for a big club like Zanaco is a great challenge as winning silverware and competing for trophies is key.
“Zanaco is a professional and top class club. They expect a lot from us, and that drives me more because I'm a winner and I love that type of challenge,” he said.
The defender praised their new coach Chris Kaunda for believing in their abilities, pushing the players to their limits, but also allowing them to enjoy the game. Kaunda took over from Mumamba Numba, who was fired on 6 January after a nine-game losing run in the domestic league.
Zanaco is now in the 13th spot out of 18, with 22 points. “We need to fight to move up the log,” he added.
The player also spoke about his teammates, saying that they are hard workers who want to achieve their goals. “It's a really great atmosphere to play in.
“I miss my kids back home, but I always visit and call frequently to make sure that they are staying disciplined,” he said.
Benson Shilongo, Lombard's mate on the national team who plies his trade in Egypt, congratulated the player on the 'massive achievement'.
“Continue working hard. Push yourself to the limit and keep your performance consistent. Go out and make history,” said Shilongo.
Other clubs who made it to the quarter-finals include: Pyramids FC, Al Masry, Horoya AC, Al-Nasr, RS Berkane, Hassania Agadir and Enyimba.
The CAF Confederation Cup, officially named the Total CAF Confederation Cup, is an annual club association football competition organised since 2004.
Clubs qualify for the competition based on their performance in their national leagues and cup competitions. It is the second-tier of African club football, ranking below the CAF Champions League. The winner of the tournament faces the winner of the CAF Champions League in the following season's CAF Super Cup.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Silverware is the focus for the club, Lombard said, as the draw for the quarter-finals will be held today in Cairo, with group winners and runners-up kept apart.
The quarter-finals are due to played in March, with the semi-finals happening in May after the Chan competition takes place in April with Cameroon as host.
The Namibian, who joined Zanaco from Lusaka Dynamos last June on a two-year contract, said making the top eight is an achievement he will forever cherish as he is the first Namibian to achieve the feat playing for the Zambian League. He however added that the real work starts now.
Zanaco squeezed through to the quarter-finals following a 1-1 away draw against RS Berkane at Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco.
It was a vital point for the Zambians, who topped the group with just a point.
“It was an intense match as we came from the back to draw. We now look forward to the next stage.”
Lombard, who has made Zambia his second home, said playing for a big club like Zanaco is a great challenge as winning silverware and competing for trophies is key.
“Zanaco is a professional and top class club. They expect a lot from us, and that drives me more because I'm a winner and I love that type of challenge,” he said.
The defender praised their new coach Chris Kaunda for believing in their abilities, pushing the players to their limits, but also allowing them to enjoy the game. Kaunda took over from Mumamba Numba, who was fired on 6 January after a nine-game losing run in the domestic league.
Zanaco is now in the 13th spot out of 18, with 22 points. “We need to fight to move up the log,” he added.
The player also spoke about his teammates, saying that they are hard workers who want to achieve their goals. “It's a really great atmosphere to play in.
“I miss my kids back home, but I always visit and call frequently to make sure that they are staying disciplined,” he said.
Benson Shilongo, Lombard's mate on the national team who plies his trade in Egypt, congratulated the player on the 'massive achievement'.
“Continue working hard. Push yourself to the limit and keep your performance consistent. Go out and make history,” said Shilongo.
Other clubs who made it to the quarter-finals include: Pyramids FC, Al Masry, Horoya AC, Al-Nasr, RS Berkane, Hassania Agadir and Enyimba.
The CAF Confederation Cup, officially named the Total CAF Confederation Cup, is an annual club association football competition organised since 2004.
Clubs qualify for the competition based on their performance in their national leagues and cup competitions. It is the second-tier of African club football, ranking below the CAF Champions League. The winner of the tournament faces the winner of the CAF Champions League in the following season's CAF Super Cup.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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