. Mweene

By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA –
‘CHICKEN’ George Lwandamina faces his biggest test as Zambia coach this evening when Chipolopolo play their arch-nemesis Egypt in a friendly at Al Jazeera Stadium in Dubai.
It may be a friendly but Zambia have not beaten the record seven-time African champions since that famous 3-1 triumph in Bloemfontein at the 1996 Africa Cup quarter-finals.
Since then, Lwandamina’s predecessors from the late George Mungwa, the late Ben Bamfuchile, Patrick Phiri, Herve Renard and Patrice Beaumelle have all failed to beat Egypt in seven successive games.
Zambia’s best result against The Pharaohs was a 1-1 draw away in Cairo under Renard in a 2010 World Cup qualifier before losing 1-0 in Chililabombwe in 2009.
A change of fortunes will be give the usually unfazed Lwandamina a Gold star on his CV, whether it is a friendly or not.
Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, who has faced Egypt in the last three meetings, said Egypt was the best test for Zambia ahead of next month’s Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier doubleheader against Sudan.
“It has not been easy to beat Egypt. We need to continue fighting and that is what makes the friendly good. Egypt will give us a very good insight of how ready the team is as we prepare to face Sudan,” Mweene said.
Missing from a friendly against Egypt for a second successive time will be captain Rainford Kalaba due to a family bereavement.
Kalaba also missed the two sides’ last encounter in another friendly played in Cairo in November 2013 under Beaumelle due to administrative reasons that Chipoloppolo lost 2-0.
Zesco United striker Winston Kalengo and Collins Mbesuma are available and should lead Zambia’s front-line as the duo seeks its fourth and second goal’s, respectively, in a Zambia shirt this year.
Lwandamina is also using the match to fine-tune his domestic contingent ahead of this Saturday’s 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) first leg, final round qualifier against Mozambique whom they host at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Meanwhile, Egypt, who are enjoying a revival of form and top their 2017 Africa Cup Group G qualifiers after missing the last three tournaments, have made a 100 per cent start on maximum six points, two ahead of arch-rivals Nigeria who are second.
But the Pharaohs are using the friendly to also prepare for 2018 Russia second round qualifiers next month.
Hector Cuper’s side will face the winner of the Chad versus Sierra Leone first round doubleheader who met yesterday in the first leg in Ndjamena before playing the return leg decider this Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
The Argentine has a strong side at his disposal with Al Ahly goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy and striker Mohammed Salah of Serie A side Roma some of the high-profile players in the team.
Chipolopolo vice-captain Nathan Sinkala is also set for a reunion with his ex-club-mate at Swiss club Grasshoppers and fellow midfielder Mahmoud Kahraba.