Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander, Lt Gen Oscar Musitu Nyoni, has rallied Red Arrows Football Club to rise to the occasion and secure victory against South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs in Friday’s decisive second leg of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup second-round tie.

Lt Gen Nyoni visited the Airmen in training at Nkoloma Stadium today, where he offered words of encouragement and urged the squad to believe in their ability to overcome the challenge ahead.

Flanked by Heads of Department from Zambia Air Force Headquarters, the Commander reminded the players of their pedigree as champions and the resilience they have demonstrated in the face of adversity in previous matches both in the domestic league and CAF competitions.

“What I know about Red Arrows is that you are champions. As Airmen, i have known you to always rise above challenges and obstacles. This is our nature and should not be anything unusual. Go there and play the game, you have been champions here and even in the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) ,” he told the players.

He urged the squad to approach the return leg with confidence, composure and a winning mentality and emphasised that the players should trust their abilities and deliver on the pitch without allowing pressure to undermine their performance.

“You should believe in yourselves. You are champions, you are stars. Play without pressure and just deliver the results,” Lt Gen Nyoni added.

The Air Force Commander also took time to watch the final session of the team’s training at Nkoloma Stadium, taking time to interact with the players and reinforce the message of confidence and determination ahead of the continental assignment.

He further assured the Club that more support would be extended should Red Arrows progress to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup and added motivation to the team’s pursuit of continental success.

The Airmen head into Friday’s encounter with a vital advantage after edging Kaizer Chiefs 1 – 0 in the first leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. Alassane Diarra’s 76th minute strike separated the sides and gave the Zambian Absa Cup champions a valuable lead to protect.

The Zambian side are scheduled to travel to Durban tomorrow, Wednesday, ahead of Friday’s second leg encounter.

With a place in the group stage at stake, the Airmen will be looking to combine defensive discipline with an attacking purpose as they seek to finish the job against the South African outfit and take another step forward in their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.