Crunch tie: Zambia vs Egypt

ZAMBIA must shock African champions Egypt today to resuscitate their floundering 2010 Africa Cup hopes in a game Algeria will have more interest than their clash against Rwanda tomorrow.

• Algeria are looking forward to Zambia’s victory which would most certainly knock Egypt out of the 2010 World Cup race while at the same time enhance the Desert Foxes’ march towards South Africa.
• A lot, too, is at stake for Egypt as they must overcome Zambia to remain in contention for a place at the World Cup. Zambia have a paltry four points, six adrift of Algeria and three behind Egypt while Rwanda are at the bottom with only one point.
• Emerging from a series of lacklustre results that have dashed qualification chances for the impending global soccer showpiece next door, Zambia need at least to strike whilst the iron is hot or slide back to life.
• The perennial problem of inconsistent line-ups and preparatory mishaps related to bungled chances are still fresh in the fans’ minds.
• But this is a make-or-break encounter that should make coach Herve Renard see the writing on the wall – it is another five years to go before the Chipolopolo take aim at the World Cup again. Well, forget about that; think about the Africa Cup in Angola.
• The rigmarole of below par performance has now been noticed even in the corridors of power to the detriment of confidence in the team.
• Thus Konkola Stadium should record a realisation by players that they take the concerns of all and sundry seriously.
• Sometimes it boggles the mind why the national team plays like each one of them needs a psychologist to roll on the turf with confidence even at home!
• A drubbing of Egypt is what the fans expect and not half measures that add to a litany of disappointments.
• Pressure is on Zambia to deliver the desired result so that their visit to Kigali on November 14 to face Rwanda in their last qualifier is a formality.
• The Chipolopolo have themselves to blame for the awkward situation they have found themselves in after allowing Algeria to beat them 2-0 at Konkola Stadium and 1-0 in Blida.
• The two consecutive losses shattered Zambia’s hopes of making their maiden appearance at the world’s biggest football showpiece to be held in Africa for the first time.
• In today’s game, Zambian fans expect the team to redeem themselves by silencing the Egyptians in this potentially-explosive match.
• The teams battled to a 1-all draw in Cairo on June 6 in the first leg.
• “We’re ready for Egypt. It will be a tough game but we’ve prepared adequately for this match which we must win at all costs. We know that they are champions of Africa and we respect them for that but they are not a threat to us,” Renard said.
• The Frenchman could be right to state that the Pharaohs are not a threat especially when playing away, considering the fact that, they lost 3-1 to Algeria in Algiers, and Zambia could do it with determination and seriousness.
• Renard is expected to partner Collins Mbesuma with Given Singuluma upfront while skipper Christopher Katongo will play as the third striker. Andrew Sinkala, Stoppila Sunzu and Rainford Kalaba are expected to form a three-man midfield with options of Noah Chivuta, Jonas Sakuwaha and Fwayo Tembo.
• In the absence of Jacob Mulenga who is injured, Renard will be tempted to use Israel-based Emmanuel Mayuka in attack at some stage in the game.
• Egypt coach Hassan Shehata said the Arabs are in Zambia to win.
• “Zambia’s hope is Egypt’s hope. We know that Zambia are looking for a win but it will not be easy for them because there hope is our hope,” Shehata said at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola after his team’s training.
• Shehata will want to replicate the form that saw them edge Rwanda 3-0 in Cairo and 1-0 in Kigali in the last two matches.
• The Egyptians, who will be without Mohamed Zidan, Mahmoud Fathallah, Emad Meteb and Mido, will rely on Mohamed Abou-Treika, Amr Zaki, Salah Amin, Mohamed Al-Gabbas and Ahmed Raouf for goals.
• Renard must instruct Joseph Musonda, Hichani Himoonde, Dennis Banda and Emmanuel Mbola to be
• disciplined in defence as Zaki and the likes of Abou-Treika, Mohamed Shawky and Mohamed Barakat have the capacity to break any defence.
• Algeria face Rwanda in Algiers tomorrow but their work will be made much easier if Zambia triumph.