Micho Happy With Chipolopolo’s Online Training

Chipolopolo coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic is pleased with the way in which players are keeping up with the online training program rolled out in a bid to maintain fitness and keep the side on track during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last month using Facebook Micho, Dusan Istojanovic, Oswald Mutapa, goalkeeper coach Miroslav Itojinic and Team Manager Desmond M’ngawa began a strategic plan using video footage.

Encompassing a daily work-out program the technical bench circulated an intense four-step schedule that was broken into routines for Monday, Wednesday and Friday with another drill laid out for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. 

The program involves theoretical awareness, distance fitness coaching, distance technical coaching and distance video tactical coaching, with the exercises upgraded weekly.

Speaking on ZNBC’s Sport On Program, Micho pointed to the resumption of football in some top leagues as a good sign that a return for Zambia could be coming before too long. Once the authorities have given the go ahead Micho said he would resume a camp for the 28 local players that he had put on a special program ahead of the African Nations Championship.

“I need to give credit to our players that they have really taken it (online training) very seriously. The way life is going I regard Zambian players as one of the hardest working on the continent and great believers,” Micho said.
“They have invested so much and I am looking forward to that investment being abided and I am sure it will pay back when they return to the field.”

Micho also revealed that the break in active football had opened up an opportunity to include players that had previously been ruled out due to injury.

“From 28 players we have added in the group 37 more, we have 55 at present, we have among those that at the time of us going at the tournament (CHAN) were injured like Isaac Shamujompa, Sebastian Mwange, Mwila Phiri and Jimmy Ndhlovu and others that have not been in proper shape in that moment,” he stated.

“So the loop of 55 players are going in the seventh week of the intensive work. I could say that we have reached a certain level based on controlling mechanism and we have seen where they are.”

Prior to the suspension of all football activities the team had been building momentum for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Botswana on March 26 and 29 and the CHAN tournament scheduled for April.

Chipolopolo coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic