29 November 2011
ZAMBIA wraps up her two-match tour of India today with a tricky international friendly soccer match against that country’s national team at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.
After an emphatic 4-1 win over a Goa XI select side at the weekend, the Chipolopolo are hoping to end their seven-day tour of duty with a clean sweep.
While Zambia are using the match as part of preparations for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, India are defending the SAFF Championship this weekend.
Coach Herve Renard, on his third assignment since his re engagement, is hoping for an improved performance from his charges who missed several scoring opportunities in the first preparatory match against Goa XI.
Renard told the Indian media that the Chipolopolo would be better today when they face a much tougher opponent, the India national team.
To thwart the Indians’ dream, Renard is expected to stick to mostly his sharp second half squad that destroyed Goa XI with Roynold Kampamba, Evans Kangwa and Chisanga Lungu leading the attack.
Between the posts, Jacob Banda should be given a nod ahead of Kalililo Kakonje, who leaked a goal against Goa while Hichani Himoonde, Jimmy Chisenga, Dennis Banda and Nathan Sinkala providing cover at the back.
Playmaker Joseph Sitali should be in the ‘engine’ room, orchestrating play with his Power Dynamos teammate, Kennedy Mudenda to avoid Zambia’s embarrassment.
The Frenchman has other options like Francis Kasonde, Nyambe Mulenga, Felix Katongo and Bruce Musakanya, the only unused outfield player in the Goa match, if the first 11 fail to tick.
As for India, the match is not just another meaningless friendly as it will be the final preparatory assignment before they face Afghanistan in their opening SAFF Championship match on Saturday.
Even without two key players Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua who opted to attend trials at Scottish giants Rangers, Savio Medeira’s India squad are plotting to upstage the 79th rated Zambians whom they described as technically superior.
“We watched the Zambian side in their last match against Goa XI. They are a very fit and a technically superior side. When we play them, we need to stick to a plan and play to our strength. If we can do it, we will surely come out with our heads high,” India skipper, Syed Rahim Nabi told the All India Football Federation website.
Buoyed by their recent 3-2 win over Malaysia in a friendly, the Indians, despite being ranked 160 in the world, are hoping to deliver before their home crowd.
Coach Medeira will rely on Baljit Sahni, Sishil Singh, Anthony Pereira, Jewel Raja, Francis Fernandes and Nabi for a seemingly tricky victory. Indians, popularly known for their prowess in cricket, have progressed steadily on the international soccer scene and hope to continue rising their profile.
The Chipolopolo, expected back from India this week, play a series of other friendlies including a game against South Africa before heading to Equatorial Guinea for the AFCON where they will open the Group A campaign on January 21 against Senegal.
Zambia, who recently lost 0-2 to Nigeria in a friendly, will also tangle with Libya and co-hosts, Equatorial Guinea in the group qualifiers.
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