. Lwandamina

By MOSES  CHIMFWEMBE –
ZAMBIA will be looking forward to end their exile in the Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN) when they take on the free-scoring Mambas of Mozambique this afternoon in the Rwanda 2016 qualifiers, first leg encounter at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The Chipolopolo have missed out on the previous two editions in 2011 and 2014 staged in Sudan and South Africa, respectively, after claiming bronze in the inaugural competition held in Ivory Coast in 2009.
‘Chicken’ George Lwandamina will be seeking redemption by securing qualification to the Rwanda finals this time having failed to guide the Chipolopolo to the 2011 championship.
With the return leg taking place next week in Maputo, Lwandamina will be hoping to take a giant leap toward clinching qualification by killing off the tie with an emphatic victory in today’s clash that will put Zambia in the driving seat.
“Our preparations have been to maximise the points on home soil and for the players, competing in this tournament is a motivating factor and so we expect a good result. The players are motivated to win this game to maintain Zambia’s dominance over the Mambas,” Lwandamina said.
Both teams will be eyeing their second appearance at the CHAN tournament going into this tie with Mozambique having made their debut in South Africa last year.
However, the Chipolopolo have had a perfect run over their opponents, posting 12 victories and three draws in the last 15 meetings with the latest clash ending in Zambia’s 1-0 win in the Equatorial Guinea 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Maputo having played to a barren draw in Ndola.
To achieve a positive result, Lwandamina will be relying heavily on in-form striker Winston Kalengo, who could be partnered upfront by Festus Mbewe or with the impressive youngster Conlyde Luchanga, who is in line to make his debut for the Chipolopolo.
Paul Katema is expected to anchor the midfield together with the likes of Salulani Phiri and Jack Chirwa while the experienced duo of Daut Musekwa and Buchizya Mfune will form a defensive barricade alongside Kapota Kayawe and Benson Sakala.
On the other hand, Mozambique coach Helder ‘Mano Mano’ Muianga has maintained the same squad that thrashed Seychelles 9-1 on aggregate in the previous round.
Muianga predicted a tough encounter this afternoon but said the Mambas were eyeing a result that would give them an advantage to carry into the second leg.
“We have two games in a space of a week and we will try to surprise Zambia here and ensure that we go to Maputo with a result that will give us an advantage. However, playing Zambia is always tough but we are determined to re-write history. A draw wouldn’t be bad for us,” Muianga said.
Despite missing the services of first choice goalkeeper Cesar Machava in today’s match, Muianga said he had players that were capable of delivering a win.
He will be banking on the trio of Luis Maninho, Reinildo Gildo and Isac Carvalhi, who were exceptional in the Seychelles rout, to stun the Chipolopolo at their backyard.