Zambia chase elusive CHAN qualification

Zambia begin their final push to end a seven-year wait for CHAN qualification on Saturday when they host Mozambique in a 2016 final round, first leg match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Chipolopolo have failed to qualify for the last two CHAN tournaments since their bronze medal finish at the inaugural tournament in Cote d’Ivoire in 2009 under Herve Renard.

They subsequently failed to qualify for the 2011 Sudan tournament under George Lwandamina during his first but brief tenure before Renard’s infamous historic defeat in Ndola at the hands of Zimbabwe in 2013 for the 2014 South Africa finals.

Lwandamina though believes his charges this time around are ready to break the drought to see Zambia at the continental championship exclusively for domestic -based players.

“I doubt if the players will be complacent. The game it itself is motivating enough,” Lwandamina said.

“As a player you have to be focused and ambitious.So if you want to market yourself it is to play in such tournaments that is a motivating factor on its own.”

The match will also test just how much the home-based players have also recovered from the experience of losing 3-0 away to Egypt last Sunday in a friendly in Abu Dhabi.

Zambia also head into the match unbeaten against Mozambique from 15 meetings with 12 wins and three draws.

Mozambique coach Mano Mano is well aware of that record.

“We know that it will be a very difficult match especially away from home against a big team like Zambia,” the ex-Mozambique defender said.

“We have a chance now to redeem ourselves.

“It is a game of football we are coming for an away game and we have our objectives.”

Zambia, unlike Mozambique, advanced to the final round the hard way after a 2-2 aggregate result over Namibia in the first round in June was settled via penalties.

Mozambique on the other hand advanced to this stage after emphatic home and away wins over The Seychelles whom they beat 9-1 on aggregate to book a date against nemesis Zambia.

The two sides will meet in the final leg in Maputo on October 24 to decider which team qualifies to the January finals in Rwanda.