Chipolopolo striker Fashion Sakala has attributed his superb form in recent weeks to the encouragement and support from the fans across the country.

Sakala scored the only goals in both the first and second legs of the U23 AFCON 2019 qualifying match against Malawi to take Zambia into the final round of the qualifiers.

Speaking in an interview with Goal Diggers in Lusaka, Sakala who plies his trade in Belgium for Oostende FC said Zambian fans have given him the confidence to play better and score.

“God is with me and I am working extra hard. I think its not easy to score in both game’s but I am very happy to score because of the team. I’m very impressed with the way the team is working, I’m very impressed with our play. We just have to continue working hard. We really had the confidence to play at the 2020 Olympics, its possible for us. I think we can do it. And for sure we don’t have pressure we just have to concentrate on the next game. I think its very possible for us. We scored one goal, but we had a chance to score a lot of goals, so I’m not really impressed but I thank God that we were able to win today. Its very possible for us to do a lot better because we still have quality in our team and I believe we can do better,” he said.

“To the fans I think it’s always amazing, it’s always a good thing to have them support us. It’s always a good thing because in Malawi, and the Malawian players were surprised because in Malawi, there were a few people but when we came to this stadium, it was almost full which is good because I really thank God for such an opportunity. I think every time they are supporting us, they are giving us confidence and that’s why we are working so hard. Even when we have a game in Europe Zambian are there for us. They are always calling us and encouraging us to do better. That is why we are able to score.”

Meanwhile U23 national team coach Bestone Chambeshi said the team would prepare better for the next opponents in the qualifier in a bid to qualify for the 2020 Olympics.

“We know that the next team will be a strong team just like the Malawian team. So, our secret will be in preparations. We will prepare adequately to face our next opponents. We have to respect our next opponents and for our next opponents which will be Burundi or Congo, I haven’t seen much of them but I believe that if we have better preparations then we will play better against them.”