CHIPOLOPOLO striker Patson Daka has commended the team’s solid defensive performance against DR Congo but underscores the need for offensive improvement in their next Africa Cup of Nations matches.
Daka said in an interview after the Wednesday match that the team did its best to secure a point, looking at the fact that it was the first game of the competition, playing against a good opponent.
“It was a great perfomance defensive-wise but it was below average going forward, we didn’t create so many opportunities” the 25 year old forward said.
“A point from us was good, we can only build from that going forward.”
The Leicester City player further said the team would not dwell in the past but look at what is coming ahead.
“We just need to stay positive it is just the beginning of the competition, we don’t have to loose our heads but we have to stick together and continue working as a team,” said Daka.
He said the next match against Tanzania on Sunday won’t be an easy game as both teams wanted maximum points.
Tanzania lost to Morocco after in their opening match, conceding 3 goals to the offensive Atlas Lions.
But Daka gave Reference to Argentina’s start at the 2022 World Cup where the Lionel Messi led side bagged the coveted top prize in Qatar.
“Even if Tanzania lost the first game, it doesn’t mean it will be a walk through for us, we need to dig deep, work extra hard to get everything we can to get maximum points,” he added.
Meanwhile, Daka said his debut at the senior Africa Cup of Nations was filled with mixed emotions as he would have loved a win but expressed gladness to play at the “big stage.”
“I have been waiting for this for so long. I just hope that it is going to be a great memory for not only me but the team as well. Hopefully I am going to contribute to the team’s success.” Daka remarked.
He assured fans that the Chipolopolo were going into their next game with the mindset of winning and not to lose, “we will give only our very best in the remaining games.”
Concerning the weather condition in Ivory Coast Daka said It was very humid but it was not an excuse to tie it down to their perfomance.
“We just have to adapt. It not like it’s only us playing in this condition, everyone else is, so we just have to adjust,” added Daka.
Chipolopolo are currently third in Group F with a point, while Morocco leads with three points, Congo comes in on second with one point, and Tanzania is seated at the bottom.
By Moses Makwaya
Kalemba January 19, 2023
