Chipolopolo acknowledge pressure

Third placed Zambia face leaders Guinea Bissau needing an outright win away in Bissau.

Defeat will end Zambia’s race while a draw will depend on the outcome of Sunday’s clash in Nairobi between bottom placed and eliminated Kenya who host number two side Congo-Brazzaville.

Guinea Bissau have 7 points, one ahead of Congo and Zambia who are tied on 6 points while Kenya are bottom with one point after heading into the critical match-day five.

“When you look at Zambia, it is a household name- again missing the Africa Cup of Nations won’t be good for us. It has put a lot of pressure on the team,” Zambia assistant coach Aggrey Chiyangi said in a post-match briefing after Monday’s 0-0 friendly draw away against Gambia in Bakau.

“But we need to know how to handle that pressure because if you don’t know how to handle it, it can bring pressure on the players which can bring more problems on the team.

“So the pressure, yes is there, but the technical staff are managing the pressure.”

Only the 13 group winners qualify to the next years finals including the best two runners-up from the groups of four teams.