Herve Renard says Sudan will be a difficult opponent but that Zambia can ride the wave tomorrow and qualify to next Wednesdays semifinals of the 2012 Africa Cup.
Zambia and Sudan will clash in an 18:00 Zambian time kickoff in Bata in the first quarterfinal match of this year’s Africa Cup that is being co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Renard’s second coming has seen him defy all odds to qualify Zambia yet again to their second successive quarterfinal appearance under his helm.
It has been a turbulent week for Zambia with off-the-field distractions that culminated in Clifford Mulenga’s expulsion after a breaking curfew and camp rules to drink with three other non-regulars and first-team player Hichani Himoonde.
There was also speculation as to why Faz vice president and the teams delegation leader Bonney Mwamelo suddenly returned to Zambia.
“This game is important and we have to go through the next round,” Renard said.
“We are in a good mood we can to do better than 2010 but at the moment we are at the same level and are 90 minutes away from achieving our target now we are in front of the World and we have to do it.”
Victory will see Zambia end their 17-year-long wait to reach the semifinals after finishing third at the 1996 tournament in South Africa.
Renard is expected to start his usual lineup against Sudan whom Zambia beat 3-0 at the 2008 tournament in Ghana in a Group C match but failed to advance to the last eight under Patrick Phiri.
Focus will be on Rainford Kalaba who has been an outstanding influence on the teams’ progression throughout the tournament in their last three matches on their way to the quarterfinals.
Striker Emmanuel Mayuka’s form will be tested against after a dry day against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday in Malabo in their last Group A match that captain Chris Katongo shined in and scored the game’s lone goal to see Zambia top the pool.
Winner on Saturday will stay in Bata for the semifinals to be played on February 8 where they will play winner from the last quarterfinal on Sunday between Ghana and Tunisia that will take place in Franceville in Gabon.
I’m pretty confident the boys will beat Sudan. Is it South or North Sudan ????
North sudan; south sudan not yet member of CAF
God bless you, Chipolopolo..We are behind you.In honour of our fallen heroes, we dedicate tomorrow’s match.
Zambia, tulefwaya bola bola and will b in the last 4.We behind u Chipolopolo…
go show them what you were made of!!
Why did the team leader return back to Zambia? Even if there was some dispute, he should have given support to the team and complain letter.Foolish Zambian, no wonder we loose, some people are just after money. No interest of the country at heart.
gogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogo zambia gogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogoogogogogo chipolopolo gogogogogogogo zambia 2 vs sudan 0
I foresse and hope for a repeat of 1996. Chipolopolo had a good run until they met Tunisia in the semi finals. We are on course to meet Tunisia yet again – in the semi final (if Chipolopolo and Tunisia) can win their games this weekend. We can then whack the Tunisian and take our revenge – 17 years in the waiting.
I foresee and hope for a repeat of 1996. Chipolopolo had a good run until they met Tunisia in the semi finals. We are on course to meet Tunisia yet again – in the semi final (if Chipolopolo and Tunisia) can win their games this weekend. We can then whack the Tunisian and take our revenge – 17 years in the waiting
KIPOLO-POLO ALWAYS DISSAPPOINT WHEN U THINK IT’LL BE A WALK OVER. WE’LL SEE AFTER 20.00HRS. IN 1996 EVERYONE THOUGHT THEY’LL BEAT TUNISIA COZ 2 WEEKS PRIOR THEY HAD BEATEN THEM. IT WAS A SHOCKER LOSS
Try and be positive sweetness.
Mamdam, soccer is a nation unifying sport. Do you think we don’t know the 1996 statistics. If people don’t have dreams to overcome the past how are they to go forward. Be positive,don’t dwell on past failures.
Let’s get the proceedings proceeding this evening,let’s do this thing,Sudan want war then it´s war it´s gonna be,let’s do it right this time, Zambia!
We will not lose, for even in defeat there’s a valuable lesson learned.
Zambia´s got her mojo back,now look away if you are a hater!
The FAZ Veep was sent back because during the game against EG when Herve asked Clifford to warm up Bonnie asked him to do a Tevez arguing that the game was too tight to remove Kalaba…they argued on the bench and Kalaba much to his relief was given a break…..there is only one team Manager and that is Herve the rest must listen go zambia go…..
Zambia 3, Sudan 0
J & M u were vry right with yo pred. r u a zambian octopus or sumtin comon predict for the nxt game again mine z zambia 2 tunisia 1
Ye go Zambia, go!
Zambia 3. Sudan 0. Way to go mother Zambia.
Way 2 go Zambia!! nshima @ work!!!
Thats the zambia we kno 3-0 show them guys dat we r stron (simbi za ngelezi kufa nku benda)