ACTUALITE |
13.01.2006
Chipolopolo Set For Spectacular Come Back
The Zambian national team will be out to make history in Egypt.
Although Zambia has never won the Cup of Nations, it has a lot of stories to tell about its several participations. Memories of coach Kalusa Bwalya’s spectacular goal scored against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon during the 1986 edition in Egypt are still fresh in the minds of many Zambian fans. Going back to Egypt for another edition of the tournament this time as coach is a big challenge for the 1988 Africa’s best player, whose dream is to see the squad perform better than they did 20 years ago.
The Zambian national team, popularly known as the Chipolopolo Boys, is therefore set to make a spectacular come back in the African Cup of Nations in Egypt. After 12 participations in the continents biggest soccer event, the best performance of the Chipolopolo boys was during the 1994 edition when they finished as runners-up. Since then, the Zambians have been bickering for the coveted trophy to no avail.
Zambia finished third in their group during the joint World Cup and African cup of Nations qualifiers to qualify for the tournament. Zambia is placed in Group C with cup holders, Tunisia, Guinea and South Africa, a group which can be described as average. However, their greatest obstacle will be Tunisia. Coach Kalusha Bwalya will have to count on the experiences home based players such as central defender and captain, Elijah Tana and striker Harry Milanzi. He will also count the considerable experience of two reliable stars: Andrew Sinkala and Laughter Chilembi. Much is also expected of wide midfielder, Chris Katongo and striker, Collins Mbesuma. Bwalya believes his team is capable of at least finishing runners-up and advancing to the knockout phase.
Even though most of the Zambian players play in the Zambian football league, they are capable of battling it out with the continent’s bests. The first objective of the team will be to go beyond the group stage. What is certain is that Tunisians are the logical favourites to win the group, clearing the way for a mini-contest between three opponents that appear evenly balanced with Zambia perhaps the most aggressive.
From every indication, the Zambian team is full of ambition and stands a better chance of beating South Africa and Guinea and probably Tunisia to move to the second phase of the competition. Zambia has never won the continental trophy but Egypt 2006 might be a chance for them.
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Hits: 1 | Source:cameroon-tribune.cm | |
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