From MOSES CHIMFWEMBE  In Praia, Cape Verde –
ZAMBIA today takes on Cape Verde with pressure mounting on both coach Honour Janza and the players to get that first win of the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group F qualifiers.
Following a disappointing 0-0 draw at home against Mozambique at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, the Chipolopolo find themselves with the tall order of beating the Blue Sharks, who thumped Niger 3-1 away, to get the campaign back on track.
However, Janza must ensure his team is prepared mentally for the tough test that awaits them at the 10,000 seater National Stadium in Praia having arrived late for this must win clash.
Chipolopolo were initially scheduled to leave Ndola on Monday morning but the trip never materialised and the team only left yesterday and arrived here early this morning without even having a chance to have a feel of the stadium.
This match will also mark the first competitive clash between these two sides and Janza will need to pick up maximum points especially that the next clash will be again away to Niger on October 10.
Having put their fans through some nervy moments in the game against the Mambas on Saturday, Chipolopolo will have to make amends for that sloppy performance by snatching a victory here in Praia, a result that could also boost the team’s morale ahead of the forthcoming games.
“The team is geared to go out for a positive result and the departure delays will not have any impact to the team because these are professional players and they have been such situations before.
So we are looking forward to the game,” said Chipolopolo team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi after yesterday’s training session at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
There are no injury concerns in the Zambian camp and all players will be up for selection and it will be interesting to see which side Janza goes with after his ‘best’ players failed him at the weekend.
Janza will need to find a better partnership upfront as his preferred choice of Jacob Mulenga in attack with Rainford Kalaba playing on the flanks while Given Singuluma dropped into the midfield just failed to work.
There will be need for Janza to consider bringing in the likes of Fwayo Tembo, Emmanuel Mayuka and Collins Mbesuma with Kalaba, Nathan Sinkala to start in the midfield.
Chisamba Lungu can start on the left back ahead of Emmanuel Mbola who was at many times found wanting to partner with Stopilla Sunzu, Nyambe Mulenga and Kabaso Chongo while Kennedy Mweene is likely to continue in goal.
On the other hand, Cape Verde are buoyed by their victory over Niger and will be looking forward to make use of home advantage to increasing the chances of making their second appearance at the AFCON finals.
With a win in the opening qualifier, the 2013 Africa Cup debutants and quarterfinalists are topping group F on three points with Zambia and Mozambique on a point each in second and third respectively while Niger are rock bottom with no point.
The Chipolopolo backline must be at its best to halt the Blue Sharks forwards Garry Rodrigues, Odair Fortes and Ze Luis, who scored a goal each to sink Niger on home turf.
Senegalese officials who include referee Malang Diedhou, first assistant Djibril Camara and second assinst El Hadji Malick Samba will handle the match while Maguette Ndiaye is the reserve official with Aboubakar Alim Konate of Cameroon as a match commissioner.
Niger guest Mozambique in another group F game today.