Zambian champions Red Arrows have set their sights on reaching the group stage of the TotalEnergies Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League.
Arrows will be making only their third appearance in the continent’s top club competition and will look to make history by progressing into the group phase for the first time.
Speaking after preliminary round draws conducted yesterday, Arrows’ head coach Chisi Mbewe said guiding his team to the group stage was his prime objective.
Mbewe noted that passage into the group stage, where the club could earn a minimum of US$190,000 (K4.7 million), would not be a minor undertaking.
“We want to fight and reach the group stage. We know that it is not going to be easy but the most important thing is we need to have a good preparation and ensure that we are ready to fight the goals that we have set in the Champions League” Mbewe said.
To reach the group stage, Arrows will first need to go past Malawian champions Nyasa Big Bullets in the 1st preliminary round with Congolese heavyweights and five-time African champions TP Mazembe awaiting them in the pre-group stage round.
In reaction to the draw, Mbewe said Arrows were satisfied with the challenge that lies ahead of them while also admitting to having limited information about Big Bullets.
“It is a fair and tricky draw for us, we are happy with the draws and the most important thing is just to ensure that we prepare adequately and make sure that we are ready for Nyasa Big Bullets,” he said.
“I have little insight about Bullets, I think it is a good side, a well motivated team, well sponsored and for us it is a very interesting and fair draw. We will try by all means to research more about Nyasa Big Bullets.”
Arrows host Nyasa Big Bullets in the first leg on 23rd August in Lusaka before heading to Malawi for the return leg to be played a week later.