January 6, 2010
The epic battle of 1994 will be rekindled in Durban this afternoon
It may only be an informal preparatory friendly behind closed doors today at the ABSA Stadium in Durban but Nigeria clashing against Zambia will always be an intriguing affair.
There is no love lost between the two heayweights of African football. At least Zambia once was and the Nigerians still are although their shine is equally on the wane.
This is a repeat of the epic 1994 final where Zambia like the true Eagle arose from the ashes of the Gabon disaster to reach the final and lose narrowly 1-2 to the Super Eagles in Tunisia.
There are no such emotions or stakes this afternoon as Nigeria media man Pastor Peterside Idah, a former Eagles international goalkeeper, confirmed:
”This is only an informal preparatory match for the technical bench to fine tune their tactics ahead of the Afcon and as such it will be played behind closed doors. The game will be played behind closed doors at 4pm South African time in Durban. But both teams agreed that it will be behind closed doors.”
But the Super Eagles and Chipolopolo have met 14 times with parity. The boys from Lusaka and the Abuja boys share 5 victories with four draws.
Stastics considered, this match then provides a focal point in preparations for both teams camped in South Africa for the Afcon kicking off Sunday in Angola.
Coach Herve Renard and his Nigerian counterpart Shuaibu Amodu have an opportunity to boost their morale with a fine performance ahead of the real skirmishes although Zambia date World Cup finalist South Korea who jetted into South Africa yesterday on Saturday 9 January before leaving for Angola 24 hours later in readiness for their opening game against Tunisia next Wednesday Januray 13 in Lubango.
Although Renard will give a run out to his whole squad, the Frenchman may rest Emmanuel Mbola and Rainford Kalaba from the starting eleven as the duo is suspended for the opening match against the Carthage Eagles.
Zambia probable line up
Kennedy Mweene, Joseph Musonda, Thomas Nyirenda, Stophirra Sunzu, Chintu Kampamba, William Njobvu, Clifford Mulenga, Felix Katongo, James Chamanga, Chris Katongo, Jacob Mulenga.
Subs: Kalilo Kakonje, Jacob Banda, Mbola, Kalaba, Hichani Himoonde, Denis Banda, Isaac Chansa, Francis Kasonde, Emmanuel Mayuka, Collins Mbesuma, Noah Chivuta, Given Singuluma.
Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama, Elderson Echiejile, Taye Taiwo, Danny Shittu, Joseph Yobo, Mikel John Obi, Kalu Uche, Olusaweyi George Olinfinjana, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Osaze Odemwinge, Obinna Nsofor.
Subs: Austin Ejide, Bamidele Aiyungba, Nwankwo Kanu, Obafemi Martins, Chinenudu Obasi, Chidi Obasi, Onyekachi Apam, Sani Kaita, Dickson Etuhu, Chidi Odia, Obinna Nweri and Yusuf Mohammed.
64 Comments on "Chipolopolo, Super Eagles square off"
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dan man on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 9:23 AM
wow all the best……
BJ on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 9:37 AM
This is a good frindly. Gives us a real test of what is coming.
Derricknho on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 9:40 AM
Stophirra likula. Why not start with Chansa?Felix does not deserve a plce in the first eleven!PLEASE Sunzu in not a natural defender (cecafa can not make him a good defender suddenly).If he played a good role in defence at such a low level tournment, it does not mean he can stand against Tunisia & Cameroon!! Renard should stop this rot, if he was not sure about the defenders he should have recalled Tana!!We need experienece in defence and I do not think Sunzu and the other new guy will have an edge over the experinced Cameroonians and Tunisians’ strikers.Remeber last CAN we lost 5 – 1 against Cameroon because we lacked experience in defence.A friendly like today will not help us to fully asses our players because every one will not give in a lot for fear of injuries.It will be like a madalas game, slow pace,soft touches,no had tackling and generally not in a hurry like a kind of a game.Friendlies are beneficial when played long before a tournment. Play Kasonde and Chintu in defence.where has Thomas Nyirenda come from? In midfield and upfront we will certainly have a good game but defence is the problem.
Vincent Numbwa on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 9:43 AM
why are they refusing to call it a friendly game?? let us play them and see what happens, Zambia is breathing fire that all those teams who avoided our planned friendly will regret to have not played us.
All the best to our team.
Zima Ndola on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 9:56 AM
Good preparatory match.It will help us prepare for Cameroun.
The Observer on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 10:06 AM
Ive always said this FAZ admin is good. despite those negative stories (thank God, we are now all united and focused on taking our football higher) , they have given us good preparations. this spirit of good organisation should continue beyond Angola. all the best for the finals
Big Steve from SA on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 10:13 AM
You cannot be serious!!!!!!!
Sibs on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 10:19 AM
Yeah on friendlies and preps Faz have done well so far. If the were no games arranged us fans would have been the first to criticize Faz. Though when Faz has done their job we don’t commend them.
Well done ba Faz you have “Eyes on the ball”, so far !!
The Observer on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 10:21 AM
damn serious Big Steve
Fred shimbi on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 10:26 AM
Its a training match between my favorite African Teams, I would like to appeal to both Teams to play it safe and watch out for last minute injuries which would jeopardise their chances of exceling at the AFCON . All the best, let the best Team win and I hope to have Nigeria & Zambia in the final – history repeats itself.
chamz on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 10:28 AM
You have been saying the same about Jacob-that likula. Sometimes we the fans just favour players who can not perform. Chansa could not even hold a team place in Sweden and is now planning to go back to SA. Like Capello, HR should play players in form and not names like Chansa.
SHOOTTER on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 10:29 AM
For a game, to be called a full friendly. It has to be confirmed by FIFA, atleast ten days before the kickoff. If not then its a training match and will have no effect on the FIFA rakings.
So, the only friendly zambia will play is, SOUTH KOREA game which as been on FIFA list of friendlies for more than a month now.
Spaks on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 10:32 AM
Odemwinge, iliko lelo, i love this blog you guys just make my day, so Zamfoot ka review of the year as well will be needed and also the plans for the year. Gents those that had access to the Napsa Declaration as we framed it, whats the way forward, are we also just going to be all talk????
isaac malukutu on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 10:33 AM
I just hope our players wont be scared because Nigeria is not th same strong team of the 90″s.
Big Steve from SA on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 11:17 AM
I think its good enough a time for prediction time. from
group A I see Algeria Angola
Group B – Ghana ivory Coast
Group C – Egypt Mozambique
Group D – Zambia Cammeroon
Amuna Onzuna on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 11:43 AM
Its good that you are now being Positive,Steve.Lets give credit where its due.
Anonymous on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 11:58 AM
will anyone update us on the game today
Derricknho on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 12:33 PM
Gents we are in a tough group!!Gabon gave cameroon a good run during the qualifiers and they have quality players in top leagues in Europe.Tunisia by record and history has always had an upper hand over Zambia at AFCON.What preps have we done all this time to think we will go past them easily?Two weeks camping and playing friendlies just before major tournamnet is not sufficient to assess what combination and players to use.We should have had proper friendlies long ago and come up with best combiantion of palyers not including new players and also assigning new roles as at now.The games we are playing as friendlies should just be warm ups but I gues HR is still trying out players.I’m not against my team and I would want to see Zambia win 2010 CAN.
chiti chitundu on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 12:40 PM
yala wama. odemwinge na martins…. well i think its goo that its closed door and nice to hear that south korea have arrived. we need to sharpen the central defence and strik force or let me say we need to be scoring.
bola panshi on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 12:52 PM
y not use joseph musonda and noah chivuta as left backs instead of experimenting????????
Anonymous on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 1:19 PM
Please gents if anyone has updates on the game 2day please do
Zed # 1 on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 1:32 PM
oh yes he must not be serious..! I think the brother’s mind easily gets swayed by what glitters. After all the months of strife we have had & he still believes FAZ is good. Please revisit your judgement….
Big Steve from SA on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 1:35 PM
Noah is not a full back. using him in any defensive role is experimenting.
Mabbwana on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 1:39 PM
Spaks, am also thinking, did it end at NAPSA? I will try to link up with you guys in Lusaka next week. Its not right to end at the table without action.
Anonymous on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 1:43 PM
i still feel kennedy chola should have been included,
Seen from afar on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 1:44 PM
I think HR may still play Mbola and Kalaba, because they won’t play Tunisia is the reason they will play the friendly and some part in S. Korea… Good preparation match, i think we needed it, it’s a long week.
Sibs on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 1:54 PM
Please confirm your source otherwise if it’s true then thats sad. I know Faz are trying to cut on costs cos the trip to Durban was not planned for.
dot com on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 2:02 PM
big up to FAZ…these are good friendly games to prepare the team for Afcon…mwabonbeni mukwai….NOT friendly games with; copperbelt select side, green buffalos, kaizer chiefs( reserve side), etc…
Steven on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 2:17 PM
you can’t be serious. This is the same administration which has no official jersey for the national team, could not get a full line-up for the Ghana friendly, and could not get Signs or Hangunyu into camp. Just to name a few embarrassments. Please, lets be serious.@The Observer
Steven on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 2:19 PM
@The Observer
You can’t be serious. This is the same administration which has no official jersey for the national team, could not get a full line-up for the Ghana friendly, and could not get Signs or Hangunyu into camp. Just to name a few embarrassments. Please, lets be serious
Whisper on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 2:29 PM
Spaks and Mwabwana
Whisper on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 2:33 PM
Spaks and Mabbwana, I don’t know where things are following our discussions at Napsa. I have even laid off criticising FAZ because we seem to be a bunch of talkers also. Guys, there was a fantastic willingness to take this site and Zed football to the next level, but up to now we haven’t seen any of the meeting actions be fulfilled? Let’s refocus.
Winza Sichali on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 2:55 PM
Can those of us that did not attend be briefed about the proceedings, resolutions etc. Any minutes available ?
bola panshi on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 2:56 PM
@Big Steve from SA
he plays very well in dat role even better than mbola maybe u r yet 2 watch him in dat position! football hs changed my friend! u need a fullbak whose evn able 2 ovalap
Georgia Russia on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 3:02 PM
the pic reminds me of that good day when zambia the under dogs at tha tourney shcoked the entire world,but in todays friendly i regard it as a high profile and win or loose for me does not matter really but playing a high profile team like nigeria is the most improtant thing.let renard try out the best team and use the formation that we gona use in our first game,,,,a training game for me like this teaches u alot.
Georgia Russia on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 3:14 PM
ba zamfoot are we using the same old Jerseys or nike has stocked us with new ones,,let them give our players snickers as well,,i remember our boys would look good in the Reebok outfit.
Amokachi on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 3:17 PM
Nigeria game will give Zambia an understanding of what being at the AFCON means. U guys overrate yourselves. U have no players to talk about, the coach is a rookie, FA is disorganised even in the Nigerian sense! Get real,,,,
Georgia Russia on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 3:35 PM
we dont need your predictions
Winza Sichali on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 3:40 PM
Reebok was the one ! The 1996 kit was excellent. If they could get the copper colour right, can you honestly tell me that a company of Nike’s repute can fail to replicate that ? I hope Nike have delivered new jerseys, but this whole deal with them comes out like we can do better !
Smm-SoJC on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 3:43 PM
@Georgia Russia
my dearest brother Chibwe, yes to the first on but NO to the last two … I wish our team total success and hope i will never lose … better to di with hope thn none at all …. God bless the Republic and all of us … yes i still respect every other prson’s view but will never buy the last two … blessed time and Go Zambia and do something better than 1974 and 1994 …
Smm-SoJC on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 3:56 PM
@Big Steve from SA
Correct position Sir Steve; we got to be optimistic …. why not think good about oneself? if we can not be proud or confident of what we have who will? Go Mighty Chipolopolo and conquer … wishing u can give Nigeria some lessons like u did in the 80s which forced them to send a delegation team to learn how football was organised … oh yes we taught Nigeria and Cameroon football management though we slipped … Go Chipolopolo …. this is 2010 … God bless the Republic en Shalom
Positive thinking ..aka Awe on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 3:58 PM
Guys FAZ has done a good job in getting the team ready for the tournament. These preps as disorganized as things started, have been some of the best I have seen in a very long time. I also know FAZ has let us down some, and we were quick to criticise (they deserved it though), but we should also give credit where it is due. Observer is right, this spirit should continue even after Angola and maybe we’ll see things start to turn around.
Ba Muzo on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 4:05 PM
Your concerns are genuine on the NAPSA declaration. You see it was like everyone was waiting to be reminded by someone. Being that the case, I have taken it upon myself to ensure that we realise those resolutions. If it fails, then blame me. I have never failed before and I am not prepared to fail now. Its hands to the hammer. Expect an update soon and this month must not pass without action.
Georgia Russia on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 4:23 PM
let nike do something,,i was hurt a lot when i was told that our boys were in all kind of outfits when they went to London,,check the photos on face they got when they were in london,
Smm-SoJC on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 4:27 PM
@Positive thinking ..aka Awe
correct thinking ,,, for us all and mother Zambia …. Go Zambia and succeed … God bless us en Shalom
kalu on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 4:30 PM
lets be honest with ourselves we are not getting out of that group. we need a new manager better youth system, and players who r willing to die for the shirt we have neither of those
dot com on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 4:36 PM
@ kalu
..if at theres even a shirt to die for!
dot com on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 4:37 PM
@ kalu
..if at all theres even a shirt to die for!
Smm-SoJC on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 4:40 PM
i refuse coz the teams in our group can also slip just like … go Zambia wth hope … if we fail thats footall if we dont the same … but you never go in battle without hope … Go Zambia and GOD bless the Republic of Zambia in all things ..
Alex on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 4:46 PM
Weelee.,weelee!
Smm-SoJC on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 5:21 PM
come Zambia you can do it
Positive thinking ..aka Awe on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 5:37 PM
@kalu
We are definately not denying the underdog tag in this group. I’m sure all the teams are hoping to secure points from playing us, but with the way things are in modern football we may be able to pull off a surprise. We will not be able to match Cameroon talent wise, or Tunisia tactically, Gabon is an emerging force, but if the technical bench have done their homework and with a little luck. Zambia will be in the qtr finals. Either way.. at least we made it to the dance..and this generation of players should have matured enough by now to be able to pull off something.
Steve on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 5:40 PM
Any news about the game can someone update us pliz. Malawi and Ghana drew one all yesterday in Mbabane watch out for this small Southern African country it can spring up a few suprises.
CHALIE on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 6:43 PM
go zambia go
CHALIE on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 6:45 PM
@Steve
@Steve
steve you spot on malawi can suprise us
CHALIE on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 6:55 PM
you see 0-0
football girl on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 1:21 AM
all the way chipolopolo boys:- ) if only i knew where to get tickets for this game- i would gladly come cheer you on!!