Nyirenda vows to deliver against Bafana

Wedson Nyirenda says Zambia are determined not disappoint their fans in Saturday’s away clash against Bafana Bafana.

Zambia face Bafana in a 2018 CHAN final round, first leg qualifier at Buffalo City Stadium in East London.

Alot hangs on the first leg that could be pivotal in deciding who qualifies for the CHAN finals in Kenya ahead of the final leg to be played on August 19 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Both sides are unbeaten in the 2018 CHAN qualifying series with Zambia winning 4-0 away and 3-0 at home against Swaziland.

South Africa beat Botswana 2-0 away and 1-0 at home to book their final round decider against Zambia.

“I think Zambians have been so expectant that we have to deliver. They have seen some good results and they feel it should continue and I feel we should not disappoint them. We will work very hard,”Nyirenda said at the end of Zambia’s final training session at Buffalo City Stadium on Friday afternoon.

But Zambia head into the match with injury setbacks.

Out through injury is key defensive midfielder Kondwani Mtonga and right back Simon Silwimba who interestingly scored at home against Swaziland on July 22.

Furthermore, Nyirenda ‘s hopes of boosting his attack were also dealt a blow when in-for Power Dynamos striker Alex Ngonga withdrew from the match to prepare for his wedding.

Nyirenda had been hoping Ngonga’s recall would boost Zambia’s firepower after witnessing his regular strikers misfire in the August 5 friendly against Ethiopia that finished 0-0 at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.