Thu, 18 Jan 2018 09:52:23 +0000
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA’S quest to win its first African Nations Championship (CHAN) title comes under massive test this evening when the Wedson Nyirenda tutored boys take on the Elephants of Ivory Coast in the second Group B match at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco.
The Chipolopolo boys will seek to beat wounded Elephants who were humiliated to a 1-0 defeat by Namibia to maintain their perfect start at the tournament which features players who feature in their domestic leagues.
Zambia began the CHAN tournament on a brilliant note with a 3-1 bashing of group B opponents Uganda thanks to Lazarus Kambole, Augustine Mulenga and Fackson Kapumbu’s goals.
Nyirenda however noted that the Chipolopolo had forgotten about their win over Uganda and were focused and ready for their next match against the Elephants.
Speaking in an interview at the Grand Stade de Marrakech in Morocco, Nyirenda said that the Chipolopolo would reign supreme as they had a plan to outsmart the Ivorians.
“I think we are not so bad, we are looking good after that emphatic win. The boys have put that win behind and they are looking forward to that game against Ivory Coast,
“They are physically big, but I think our boys have what it takes to run them down. I think the day will be ours,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast will seek maximum points when they date Zambia to increase their chances of progressing to the knockout stages following their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Namibia.
The Elephants will also target to avenge their 3-0 defeat to Zambia at the maiden championship fixture played on February 22, 2009 at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.
Chipolopolo striker Given Singuluma scored a hat trick in the match which eliminated Ivory Coast despite them having been hosts for the 2009 edition.
The Elephants will also seek to avenge their 8-7 defeat on post-match penalties to Zambia in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final in Gabon.
The Kamara Ibrahim-drilled Ivory Coast are third with no point in group B of the ongoing CHAN tournament while Zambia top the group with three points, on par with second-placed Namibia but are ahead thanks to a superior goal difference.
