The odds favor Nigeria to move Semi now. The playmaker of Zambia is out , PTF who usually create tension in the SE camp is out. The confidence our boys are boosted with the way the won the last game.The coach has equally re-organised his defence. Zambia is no treat to Naija Eagles, the only Eagles remaining in the tournament.

Zambia will miss Kalaba against Nigeria, says Kalusha Bwalya

01-24-2010
Zambia’s quarter final match against Nigeria has been made more difficult for the Chipolopolo with the suspension of inspirational midfielder Kalaba Rainford and defender Chintu Kampamba.
Kalaba,The 24 year old Portuguese based Uniao de Leira player who scored Zambia’s opening goal against Gabon has so far emerged as the best player in the Zambian set up.
Former captain of the team and President of the Zambian Football Federation, Kalusha Bwalya said “ , There is no doubt that we will miss him. He has been an important part of team Zambia and was man of the match against Tunisia. We will miss him as an individual but we will just have to find a way of replacing him.
“ We will also miss the defensive services of Chintu Kampamba who is also suspended but i can assure you that whosoever is picked will give his all,” Kalusha said
The 1988 African footballer of the year who captained his country to the 1994 Nations Cup final against Nigeria in Tunisia went down memory lane. “ Yes, 1994 comes to mind, but i see this team better, collectively than the 1994 Team. Do not forget that then, we were just recovering from a major disaster and the boys who were brought together created a miracle, more or less”
He said the present team has been together for some time and they complement each other. The five Zambian goals were scored by four different players and this is seen as a proof of Zambia’s potency in attack.
“ We came here with a second round ambition and i am happy that we have achieved that and creditably too, in a tough group that included Cameoun, Gabon and Tunisia. Any other thing will be a bonus, that is why we will be more relaxed than Nigeria. Yes we are going in as under dogs and this, does not bother us.” He said.
Kalusha does not want to worry whether Nigeria is preferred to Egypt, because “, Any team that has qualified to get to this position should be respected. Nigeria is a great team. When they beat us in 1994, they went on to win the Olympics and represented Africa well at the world cup. But they will underrate us at their peril.
An important part of the Zambian orchestra is 41 year old coach Herve Rennard who garnered a lot of experience as assistant to Claude Le Roy who coached Ghana to the Nations Cup in 2008. The French man is already beating his chest, claiming he is seeking bigger challenges in Africa and will not mind using Zambia’s success over Nigeria as a springboard.
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