Swaziland coach Pieter De Jongh says he is not taking Zambia lightly, despite Chipolopolo’s 2017 Cosafa Cup final final defeat to Zimbabwe.

Zambia face Swaziland away in a Kenya 2018 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) first round, first leg qualifier away in Mbabane on Sunday.

The match will come a week after Zambia’s humiliating 3-1 Cosafa Cup final loss at the hands Zimbabwe in Rustenburg.

De Jongh had an opportunity to see Zambia in action from the Cosafa Cup quarterfinal stage where his own team was eliminated 2-1 by the eventual champions.

The Belgian coach said he’s pleased he will have his 12 players from Mbabane Swallows back after they missed the Cosafa Cup due to their 2017 CAF Champions League group stage obligations.

“In the Cosafa Cup,we didn’t have 12 experienced players but I think the performance of the team was fairly good,” De Jongh said.

“Our next opponents Zambia will be a tough opposition as they even reached the Cosafa Cup finals.

“We have to up our game to win Sundays match. Whatever squad they bring it will not be easy.”

The two sides will play the return leg in Zambia on July 23 with the winner over both legs advancing to the final qualifying round in August.

Victor will face winner of the of first round tie between Botswana and Bafana Bafana who meet in Gaborone this weekend for a place in January’s finals in Kenya.