. Kachinga

By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
THE Shepolopolo this afternoon go into a big 2015 All-Africa Games (AAG) qualifying fight to overturn a two-goal deficit suffered at home to Tanzania with coach Albert Kachinga keeping faith that in football ‘impossible is nothing’.
After a lethargic 2-4 home defeat that brought rage among the fans especially after the team collapsed towards the end of the game, Zambia’s task was always going to be a tough call.
The Shepolopolo will be looking for a three-goal win to make the next stage or replicate a 4-2 away victory to force penalties at the National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam.
Despite the gigantic task ahead, Kachinga has remained positive about the possibility of overturning the deficit, saying some of his players were playing international football for the first time in the reverse fixture and would perform better in the return leg.
Additionally, the limited camping time ahead of the home tie somewhat affected the team as they wore out towards the end of the game which saw Zambia concede two late goals with the game at 2-2.
Team manager Besa Chibwe assured that the coaching bench had noted this anomaly and had concentrated on raising the fitness levels of the players.
Kachinga was in boisterous mood.
“We picked up the initial problems the team faced and we have been looking at that in the last three weeks, we have been rectifying that and we are determined to turn the tables,” he said.
This is the final round of qualifiers for the 11th edition of the AAG that will be held in Congo Brazzaville in September this year.
In the first leg, goalkeeper Hazel Nali was in poor form and could, have prevented at least two of the goals despite the defence also being at fault for the last goal moments before the final whistle.
In this game, Kachinga will also have the luxury of Annie Kibanji, who missed the first leg as well as multi-talented Rachel Nachula’s whose pace could come in handy to break down the Tanzania’s Twiga Stars.
With 17-year-old Grace Chanda expected to start upfront as a lone striker in the absence of Helen Mubanga, Kachinga will hope for inspired performance from Ireen Lungu and Nachula on the wings to upset the Tanzanians.
With experience in the middle from Meya Banda and Misozi Zulu, the Zambian trainer can dream of a positive day though Nali in goal will need better concentration to stop the likes of Etoe Mlenzi whose snap long range shots, one of which beat her in the home leg at Nkoloma Stadium.
However, the Twiga Stars will kick off the return leg with massive psychological boost having won the first leg played in Lusaka three weeks ago by resounding 4-2 goals.
This match will be handled by Ugandan officials, Anna Akoyi, Nakkito Nkumbi, Jane  Mutonyi with the fourth official being Nabikko Ssemambo while match commissioner is South African, Nomsa Jacobeth Mahlangu.