Zambia: Country Exempted From Playing Preliminary Round Draws

19 May 2011

Zambia has been exempted from playing the preliminary round draws of the 2014 FIFA Brazil World Cup following the revision of World Cup format by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), thanks to being rated 21st on the continent based on FIFA Coca-Cola standings.

The Chipolopolo is among the countries enjoying bye and not subjected to preliminary knock-out qualifiers when the draw is made next month in Brazil as the first phase would involve only 24 of the 52 African countries.

FAZ spokesperson, Erick Mwanza said at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the association was happy with the latest qualifying format unveiled by CAF during the recent executive meeting.

He said the qualifying series would begin with a preliminary round involving the 24-bottom ranked teams according to the latest edition of the FIFA rankings, with 12 teams going on to qualify to join the 28 other teams.

The 40 nations would then be divided into 10 groups of four each with the top team from each of the groups qualifying for the final play-off and proceed to contest home and away basis to determine the five slots.

“It is a FAZ stated policy and commitment to ensure that we are ready for these qualifiers and we will get into these games ready and geared for any challenge because it is our desire and dream to go to the finals of the FIFA World Cup finals. We have a quality team and staff and administrative proficiency to undertake a successful run in the qualifiers,” Mwanza said.

He said as such FAZ would ensure that the Chipolopolo was adequately prepared, and that the immediate challenge was to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the London 2012 Olympic Games.

And Mwanza said the senior national team would set up camp on Tuesday to prepare for the June 4 Gabon/Equatorial Guinea 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique scheduled for Chingola’s Nchanga Stadium.

“With seasons closing in Europe and other African leagues where the legion of our foreign based players is based, we expect a full-house as the national team gets together,” he said.

On the Under-23 soccer team, Mwanza said the cancellation of the proposed friendly against Sudan would not affect the team’s preparations because the squad would use that period for intensive sessions, adding that Zambia would travel to Algiers a well-equipped side ahead of what was anticipated to be a tough encounter.

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