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Ricky Zililo in Ndola, Zambia
The Gamecocks’ stand-in captain, Moses Jackson, yesterday declared that they were in Zambia to win the tournament which they are taking as part of the preparations for a crunch Caf Champions League preliminary clash against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns in about two weeks time.

Chicken Inn arrived in the Copperbelt town of Ndola yesterday evening for the four-team pre-season invitational tournament involving Zambian champions Zesco United, Zanaco and Azam of Tanzania.

Soon after checking into their hotel, Chicken Inn immediately held an hour loosening session ahead of this afternoon’s tie against Zanaco at the giant Levy Mwanawase Stadium at 1PM.

Despite having last trained on Friday, Jackson said they were already in Caf Champions League mode.

“Everyone is focused towards winning this tournament. It might be a pre-season tourney, but the guys are already in Champions League mode,” said Jackson.

“Everyone is aware that time is running out for us to play our first competitive game against Sundowns and all the players want to be in line for selection for that game, meaning they’ll be fighting their hearts out. We’re actually here to fine tune combinations as well as to fight for positions in the starting eleven.”

The steely defender, who is holding the captaincy in the absence of regular skipper Danny “Deco” Phiri, said newly signed strikers Obidiah Tarumbwa and Physwell Madhazi were settling in well at the champions.

Some of the players expected to play a key role in Chicken Inn’s campaign in the Ndola tournament include 24-year-old goalkeeper Pride Zendera, veteran defenders Guide Goddard, Passmore Bernard, Jackson and Brian Mbiriri.

Young left-back Devine Lunga, who has a single national team cap, Warriors and Young Warriors’ attacking midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu, winger George Majika and veterans Bhekimpilo “Bhaka” Ncube and Thabani “Dubura” Goredema are among the players Chicken Inn hope will lead them to glory.

Brian Juru, who has often played second fiddle to the injured Phiri, is also available for a starting place in the defensive midfield position in the absence of the skipper, while Canaan Nkomo, Majika, Kutinyu and junior product Nicholas Muchadeyi will provide attacking options.

The striking quartet of Tarumbwa, Mitchelle Katsvairo, Madhazi and Ishmael Lawe will lead the search for goals.

The Chicken Inn technical department has demanded victory in the tournament.

“We’re saying there is nothing friendly about the friendly matches because we want to inculcate in our players a winning mentality. If we win here against teams that are also in the Champions League, it will lift the players’ mental strength ahead of our match against Sundowns,” said Chicken Inn assistant coach Prince Matore.