By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
ZAMBIA’S prospects of qualifying to the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals will be determined this evening when the Chipolopolo hosts fellow Group F strugglers, the Menas of Niger in a decisive fixture in Ndola.
Having made a shaky start to the qualifiers, Zambia cannot afford any more slip-ups as this sink or swim tie will determine the Chipolopolo’s destiny in the campaign.
Zambia’s last absence from the AFCON was 10 years ago when the team, under the tutelage of Patrick Phiri, failed to clinch a spot at the 24th edition hosted by Tunisia, who became eventual winners.
The 2012 African champions are heading into this match at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium needing only a victory to remain relevant in the race for next year’s AFCON finals.
With that in mind, the success-starved Chipolopolo, who have only collected two points from the possible nine in the first round of the qualifiers, have no option but to win this game.
Cape Verde lead the charge in Group F on six points, just one ahead of Mozambique whom they host at the Stade de Nacional in Praia today with Zambia and Niger tied on two points in third and fourth places, respectively.
The two sides squared up to a barren draw in the first leg in Niamey on Saturday and the Chipolopolo will be banking on home advantage to deliver a positive result that will also put back smiles on the faces of disappointed fans.
Coach Honour Janza is, however, confident that the Chipolopolo will qualify for the 2015 AFCON finals despite not living up to expectations in the previous games.
“This game is very vital for us because it will set the pace on the team’s qualification and we just have to pick maximum points because our target is to win all the remaining games for us to qualify.
“The good part is that we have a good team in place that can deliver and I am confident the boys will rise to the challenge. We have worked on our weaknesses and the players are game for the clash,” Janza said ahead of this evening’s game.
Janza will be hoping that his preferred frontline pair of Jacob Mulenga and Given Singuluma – that has only produced a solitary goal in the first part of qualifiers – will be in good form to deliver a sucker punch on the Menas.
Veteran striker James Chamanga’s experience may also be vital upfront.
Rainford Kalaba will be expected to marshal the midfield alongside Nathan Sinkala with under-20 player Charles Zulu, who was impressive in the weekend game, may be given another opportunity to don national colours.
The backline has received a boost with the return of defence kingpin Stoppila Sunzu, who missed Saturday’s game due to a bereavement. He is expected to partner Nyambe Mulenga, who was impressive in Niger.
With skipper Christopher Katongo expelled from the team, either Sunzu or Sinkala will take over the captain’s armband and lead the team in bridging the gap on the top two teams.
The Niger camp has similar challenges like the Chipolopolo and coach Gernot Rohr is eyeing a return to winning ways by the Menas, who are targeting only their third appearance at the AFCON finals.
Rohr will be hoping captain Moussa Maazou, who struggled to penetrate the Chipolopolo backline at the weekend, to be at his best to deliver victory for the West Africans.
The German trainer will also be banking on Kamilou Daouda, Kourouma Tafoghoma and Oumarou Youssouf to do a good job.
“We cannot travel all the way from Niger to lose this game; we are here to win although Zambia are the favorites to emerge victorious. The team is ready to put up a good fight to pick up a good result,” Rohr said.