Acting Zambia state President, Alexander Chikwanda has congratulated the Football Association of Zambia and Chipolopolo for what he described as “the splendid performance” of the team at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations finals.

This follows the Zambia National Soccer Team’s victory over co-hosts Equatorial Guinea; a result which ensured the Chipolopolo won their Africa Cup tournament group for the second successive finals championship.

Zambia finished top of Group A with seven points, one more than Equatorial Guinea, with Libya collecting four points and the Senegalese sent home without a point. Zambia now awaits the runners up of Group B for a quarter-final clash on Saturday 4 February.

In a statement issued Monday Honourable Chikwanda said: “On behalf of President Michael Chilufya Sata and the entire Zambian People, I wish to convey to the Zambian Team, the Coach and indeed to FAZ our profound and hearty congratulations for the splendid performance at the African Cup of Nations.”

“The team has performed a feat in all the three matches. They were a joy to watch and have indicated they will be a force to reckon and contend with. They showed resoluble will, determination and focus. They played as a team and their pace was accompanied by flawless ball control and coordination. We are legitimately proud of our team and wish them well as they move forward in the balance of the tournament.”

Hon Chikwanda said the Chipolopolo’s focus, hard work and determination should even inspire the rest of the country to aspire for greater unity and development of the nation.

“There is a clear message to all of us Zambians from our team, simply that if our country moves forward as a focused and coordinated team we will get to very high levels of development,” he said.