- Stay Connected
Socialize
PREVIEW: Chipolopolo Double Hunt Begins
African champions Zambia today begin their title defence when they face Ethiopia in a Group C encounter at Mbombela Stadium here in Nelspruit.
The two sides last clashed in 2010 at the CECAFA Cup senior challenge during a quarter -final match the East Africans won 2-1 but that’s as high as Ethiopia’s high profile engagements have gone in the last 31 years with no appearance at Africa’s biggest football feast.
Herve Renard is expected to use this match as a statement of how of age his champions have come and doubters will be watching out whether the Copper Bullets still retain the sting that handed them the crown in 2012.
Once again, only for the champion status, Zambians are outsiders to lift the crown but living the underdog badge has never been strange to the Chipolopolo.
Zambia’s record going into the tournament has been unimpressive managing only one win against South Africa who they beat 1-0 in the Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup in October 2012.
They recorded losses against Saudi Arabia (2-1), Tanzania (1-0), Angola (2-0) and posted nil-all draws against Morocco and Norway.
But Renard has assured the Zambians that results in friendly matches do not matter.
The return to action of FC Utrecht talisman Jacob Mulenga who missed the last Africa Cup and the now revived Collins Mbesuma accounts for some of the positives in the Zambia camp.
A huge component of the team was at the 2012 tournament and that means there could be no drastic changes.
However the Frenchman has not indicated which frontline he will settle for given the rich assemblage of strikers at his disposal.
Renard has hardly departed from the 4-5-1 formation that sees Southampton striker Emmanuel Mayuka play at the tip of the attack with Christopher Katongo playing a little deeper. He shuffles that formation with the 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 approach to slaughter his opponents.
The other option could be twinning Jacob and Mbesuma upfront.
Many will be looking out for how the ‘master’ Rainford Kalaba fairs after his return from an injury sustained on October 10 last during a CAF Champions League match against Esperance in Lubumbashi.
The twin towers of Stophilla Sunzu and Hichani Himoonde will once again take their place at the heart of Zambia’s backline with Davies Nkausu and Emmanuel Mbola taking up places on the right and left back respectively.
Renard has coyly played down the goal drought that has been a concern back home by promising the fans that “we are reserving goals from the tournament”.
In a late kick off Nigeria face Burkina Faso in another Group C clash at the same venue.
Report by Sydney Mungala in Nelspruit
Posted by
bankimoon
January 21, 2013 at 11:06 am
fight the small fights and fight them seriously!
opnani kulilyo
January 21, 2013 at 11:12 am
tufwile fye ukubanaya bama mbala aba
Ba game
January 21, 2013 at 11:22 am
@Opnani kulilyo boi tulebanaya bamukuta aba lelo ni no size.
Civild servant
January 21, 2013 at 11:51 am
Though not paid as of yet,Civil Servants are behind u.Go guys and bring back that cup!
Umupandapwiti
January 21, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Go Ethiopia! Go emperor haile selassie! Go!
Iyeeee
January 21, 2013 at 12:34 pm
We’ll THUMP you nicely. Go Chipolopolo Go.
paulo
January 21, 2013 at 1:14 pm
zambia is gonna lose to day.
tivo
January 26, 2013 at 8:56 am
How do you feel now that we did not lose… Ignorant fool
Wanu Ngwee
January 21, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Ba Tumfweko naimwe! Renard said his team was reserving goals FOR and not FROM the tournament …!!!
Ba
January 21, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Go Guys!! you can do this Again!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe Bidden
January 21, 2013 at 1:46 pm
@Civil Servant…”Though not paid as of yet,Civil Servants are behind u.Go guys and bring back that cup!”
What has your salary got to do with Chipolopolo? Just support the boys and stop whining like someone forced you to be a civil kaboyi.
santiago
January 21, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Zambia palibaliba Umupila
Mpangula Mputyu
January 21, 2013 at 2:03 pm
One Zambia One Nation – United for TeamZambia.
MUNTU WA BONSE
January 21, 2013 at 2:47 pm
ba paulo mulishilu saana huh
Wemfula Isa Isa
January 21, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Ubukali bwena ba Zambia bakali nomba fye ifi ma jersey uno muku ububi. Kuti fyabalusisha. Green with 3 stripes ni mbama. Anyway, go Zambia go.
elijah
January 21, 2013 at 5:31 pm
We will teach the Ethiopians a lesson they will never forget for a long time to come
Chinshingwa mwikate
January 23, 2013 at 5:09 pm
Go Zambia !! Go !! Any1 opposing Zambia aichindike.
Polio Chanda
January 25, 2013 at 9:58 pm
Kindly put dates on your stories