Red Arrows coach Mbewe targets Confederation Cup quarter-finals after draw

Red Arrows coach Chisi Mbewe says his side must prepare thoroughly to reach the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup following the group-stage draw.

The Zambian side have been placed in Group C alongside Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars, DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union and the winner of the outstanding qualifying tie involving Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, AS Douanes of Mauritania and Guinea’s Hafia FC.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Mbewe described the draw as fair but warned that his team cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.

“I think it is a fair but not an easy draw for us, so we need to ensure that we are ready and we qualify for the quarter-finals of the Confederation Cup,” he said.

“Looking at the teams that we have been drawn against, the job has now started. We need to ensure that we prepare and qualify for the quarter-finals.”

Red Arrows booked their place in the group stage after eliminating South African giants Kaizer Chiefs in a dramatic penalty shootout.

The Airmen secured a 3-2 victory on penalties after the two sides finished their two-legged preliminary-round tie level at 1-1 on aggregate.

Red Arrows had claimed a 1-0 victory in the first leg before Kaizer Chiefs levelled the tie in the return fixture to force a penalty shootout, where the Zambian side held their nerve to progress.

The ABSA Cup holders will now turn their attention to their domestic campaign, with a fixture against Chirundu United at Nkoloma Stadium on Saturday in the MTN Super League Stream B.