Zambia’s CHAN D-Day looms

23/08/2013

Zambia has 90 minutes on Saturday in Ndola to shatter Zimbabwe’s CHAN qualifying dreams and book their 2014 final place.

The two sides’ finished level in the first leg on August 18 in Harare, a match Zimbabwe dominated but were guilty of some horrendous finishing to see Zambia escape Rufaro Stadium with a scoreless draw.

Victory for Zambia at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola would see them return to the CHAN finals for the first time since the 2009 tournament when they finished third at the inaugural tournament in Cote d’Ivoire under Herve Renard.

Renard said he is hoping their good luck at Levy where they are unbeaten since the moved to their new home ground in June, 2012 will prove decisive and in their favour.

“We have to get the qualification for the CHAN in South Africa We did very well and now playing at home we have to do better against Zimbabwe and qualify for the CHAN,” Renard said.

However, Renard will be without his key midfielder Kondwani Mtonga who is suspended for the game after accruing two yellow cards.

Konkola Blades midfielder Misheck Chaila is set to replace him, but overall, Renard will bank on his tried and tested side that has served him well from the 2013 Cosafa Cup 2-0 final win over Zimbabwe on July 20 at the same venue.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe coach Ian Gorowa is under pressure to get a win after a glowing start to his tenure on July 29 with a 3-0 win over Mauritius in a CHAN first round away leg qualifier.

Since then, Zimbabwe has failed to conjure any win with two successive draws, both at home against Mauritius and Zambia finishing 1-1 and 0-0 respectively in the same competition.

Zimbabwe striker Nelson Maziwisa who scored a brace away against Mauritius said they are certain of qualification despite that blip to ensure their third successive CHAN final appearance.

“You need a bit of luck sometimes to get a goal but we still have a good chance,” Maziwisa said who was also one of the biggest culprit in the first leg against Zambia last Sunday.

“We have not done well at home and I am hoping that we will be as efficient as the last time we played away from home.

“I’m confident we will get a goal in Zambia.”