Newly-appointed Zambia 15s rugby coach Musa Zimba has said he is confident Zambia will qualify for the 2010 Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Africa Cup tournament to be slated for October in Tunisia, local media reported on Thursday.

Zimba was announced this week as coach of the rugby team by the Zambia Rugby Football Union (ZRFU) and his first task will be in charge of the team during the CAR Africa Cup qualifiers starting this weekend in Zimbabwe.

Zimba said in an interview with the Zambia Daily Mail that he was impressed with the players' will and commitment to qualify for the CAR finals.

"This time we have a strong belief our outing in Zimbabwe will be a success. We are all committed to achieving our target. It is important to reach the final," Zimba was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Zambia starts the campaign for a spot at the Africa Cup finals in Tunisia with a tricky opening fixture against Madagascar next Wednesday at Bulawayo Rugby Fields in Zimbabwe.

Zambia was eliminated in the preliminary round at last year's qualifying tournament in Botswana, Daily Mail said.