Zambia have 90 minutes to save their 2014 CHAN qualifying hopes when they host Botswana on Saturday.
Herve Renard side plays Botswana at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola in a CHAN first round, return leg match in Ndola.
The pressure is on Zambia after a determined Botswana rallied from 1-0 down in the 79th minute to secure a valuable late equaliser against a 10-man Chipolopolo side to finish 1-1 in Molepolole on July 27.
Renard remains upbeat that the draw favourably still suits Zambia heading into the home leg at Levy where Zambia are unbeaten in nine games and enjoys massive partisan support.
“We have a chance to make the difference in the return leg,” Renard said.
However, the state of mind of influential Power Dynamos midfielder and 2013 COSAFA Cup most valuable player Mukuka Mulenga will be key in that game.
Mukuka’s first leg form has not helped with damning allegations that FAZ blocked Power officials from visiting their employee in camp over his prospective move to Mamelodi Sundowns when they were told the player had mysteriously vanished from his room despite a lock-down on player movement at the teams camp at Savoy Hotel in Ndola.
If it is true, the development is case of double standards with known player agents, scouts and business managers previously given bragging about enjoying easy access to their clients during the teams’ 2014 World Cup qualifiers camp in June.
Moreover, Mukuka never finished the game against Botswana after modest display in the first leg and was replaced by Kabaso Chongo in the 76th minute bringing into question over his state of mind.
Meanwhile should Zambia secure a home win, it will still serve up a potentially tricky final round date against archrivals Zimbabwe who beat Mauritius 3-0 away and host them in the return leg on Sunday.
mukuka mulenga is not sharp.i think we need someone to teach the boys mentaly to be fit and sharp.he is just like katongo felix.alway wants to shoot any how.the boy works hard but in vain.what im saying he is just a hard worker.my wory is why doeset these boys consult or follow what kalusha used to do.kalu would pass the ball to chaly and run fast infront where the ball finds him frm charles and scores.
I fail to understand mukuka if he is a player to rely on.I don’t see real skills in this chap ukuponaponafye on the pitch always .We need stronger and skillful players to excel otherwise mukuka depending on mukuka weak soldier we are doomed.
Mukuka Mulenga has so far failed to live up to expectations. He was good at the AFCON when coming as a substitute but when given a chanse to lead the team he fails as was the case at COSAFA and in Botswana. Maybe Bruce will help. Let Festus be a supporting striker so that he can be harrasing the diffence and make them tired as he is good at that but can not be the main striker. Moses Phiri can be tried to lead the strikeforce. He always look sharp when given a chance.
MUDENDA is a much better striker.
True
Let him try and get much need exposure. Experience comes out of trying and trying… Or die while trying 🙁
Ifyakubosabosa mulekeni umwaice
why encourage killing of zebras, we need to fight poaching. fool.
Final Score: Zambia 2-0 Botswana
Goals : Kondwani Mtonga (49); Edward Kangwa (78)
Yes EVANS and KAMPAMBA can help kill Zebras.