Zambia’s road to Moscow 2018 begins with a second round qualifying tie against regular World Cup foe Sudan at the end of this year.
This will be Zambia and Sudan’s fourth meeting in a World Cup qualifier.
In the first encounter, Sudan eliminated Zambia on away goals rule following a 6-6 on aggregate in what was Chipolopolo’s debut World Cup qualifying match for the Mexico 1970 tournament.
Zambia later beat Sudan 3-2 on aggregate in a preliminary round qualifying tie during the France 1998 race.
The third meeting came in the Brazil 2014 qualifiers that saw Zambia awarded a 3-0 win following a 2-0 away loss in Khartoum after Sudan had fielded an ineligible player in their opening Group 4 qualifier before drawing 1-1 in the final leg in Ndola.
Meanwhile, George Lwandamina’s side will travel to Khartoum for the first leg match on during the week-long FIFA match dates from November 9-17.
The winner over both legs that week will advance to the five-group league phase of games that will kick-off in October, 2016 with the first week of matches stretching from October 3-11 while the second bunch of games will be played during the week of November 7-15 next year.
Group winners at the end of 2017 will qualify for the Russia finals to be held from June 14 to July 15, 2018.
Zambia has never qualified to the World Cup.
As long as we continue experimenting with local coaches who are not tactically aware of the modern game,we must forget about progressing to the group qualifying matches.
Sudan are like a thorn in the flesh. Its will be a rough ride to make the group stage. I was not impressed with chipolopolo during the Africa cup so i don’t see why sudan should not fancy their chances to qualify for the group stages. They actually caused problems for us during the Brazil 2014 qualifier but we got lucky because Sudan messed up themselves by fielding an ineligible player.
We in zed lack the tactical understanding of the game, as long as we don’t address this aspect of the game we shall remain stagnant in terms of football development
I don’t agree with our problem being with local coaches. The problem is with the planning at our FA.
Between now & november we will probably play two friendlies with two sets of different players & by the time we go to Khartoum we will have a new coach & a new set of players.
How do you win serious matches like that.
The problem as most bloggers have noted is 2 fold.A corrupt,inefficient and useless association which hires incompetent and tactically impotent coaches.
Verdict if nothing changes;ELIMINATION FROM AFCON AND WORLD CUP .
Itizi not turu. The coach plays a large part (90 percent ) in the team’s success. The FA of course have to appoint him so they carry responsibility. However a good FA cannot help a poor coach while a good coach can help a poor FA look good
We can beat Sudan if we make sure that Sunzu, Katongo and James play. All will score against them. All the best Zambia. Let us make them pack in Khartoum and it will be icing on the cake in Zambia. Feature the same formidable team and not these new pretenders.
Comment:we can beat sudan if chris katongo,chamanga,fwayo,f katongo,sunzu,kalaba,nkausu,mbola,musonda,sinkala,j mulenga,mbesuma,c lungu,mwene,l musonda,mukuka a.
zambia wil beat sudan by 2;0,,coz lwandamina z working very good….go gooo chipolopolo.
Comment: i truly belive tht Zambia will win todays match bcoz so far de coatch z tryn hez best for team
i truly knw tht zambia z win 2dayz match
If Zambia seem disgruntled against Sudan, then how can they match the likes of the Nomadic West Africans like Senegal and Mali North African danger and West Africa proper. Well see this one as an opportunity to hit the group stages and do some reform because it would be red up there. Am trying my possible best to watch the game.
We’ve got Comoros on Friday but there is no hot build up to the game. The build up is more boring than a friendly. Zambia and Sudan would be mouth watering