By Our Correspondent

Zambia Federal Government says it will not take any excuse should the senior men football team, the Chipolopolo fail to qualify to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Youth Sport and Arts Minister, Elvis Nkandu who disclosed this, said qualification for the AFCON 2023 IN Cote D’Ivoire ‘is a must'” having missed out on the previous three editions of the continents biggest showpiece.

Nkandu said it would be unacceptable for Zambia to miss out on the Cote D’Ivoire edition, which will make it fourth in number should they fail to make the cut.

The minister noted that the draws having been made last week, where Zambia is placed in Group H with host Cote D’Ivoire, Comoros Islands and Lesotho, the country is better placed to qualify for the 34yh edition of the tournament

Nkandu told ZNBC Sports News in an interview that the draw is fair and that no team should be underrated having witnessed Comoros’ performance at the 2020 AFCON tournament held in Cameroon.

He further noted that the Ministry will have a meeting with the Football Association of Zambia-FAZ- and the players to chat the way forward.

The Minister said there is need to foster unity among all stakeholders so that the team should be given the necessary support in a bid to qualify.

He pledged Government’s support towards the team preparation for the Qualifiers that start on the 30th of May as Zambia will be away to Ivory Coast in the opening Group H encounter.

Zambia won the 2012 African Cup of Nations, beating Cote D’Ivoire 8-7 on penalties, after 120 goalless minutes of action