Zambia’s hunger for the 2018 COSAFA Cup final will be put to the test by Madagascar in Wednesday’s semifinal clash at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Kickoff will be at 17h00 of this semifinal doubleheader.
The match will be the two sides first since 2001 but their debut in the COSAFA Cup.
Both side advanced to the last four via similar 4-3 post-match penalty shootouts win following 0-0 fulltime draws for Zambia against Namibia while Madagascar dumped host South Africa.
But Madagascar have come into the match with more mileage after winning two and drawing one in the group stages.
Zambia on the other hand has entered the fray in the quarterfinals after enjoying a group stage bye.
“We have reached a very critical stage of the competition and we must beat Madagascar to reach the final,”Chambeshi said.
Meanwhile, Chambeshi hit back at Madagascar coach Franklin Andriamanarivo who vowed to beat Zambia especially after watching Chipolopolo stutter against Namibia.
“Football is played on the field, we will meet them on Wednesday so it will be a good game and the 90 minute will tell the result,” Chambeshi said.
And Chambeshi also disclosed that he may stick to a similar formation as that against Namibia although changes are expected to attack where Lazarus Kambole could just start with Ronald Kampamba.
Winner will face Lesotho or Zimbabwe who meet in the 19h30 kickoff of the doubleheader.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
I still say Zambia is quite a tricky side. When you watch them play against one opponent you may be deceived to think and conclude that they are in the bracket of easy prey. This is just the nature of their football andnit is what often gives their opponents the courage to fight them to the bitter end. Some sides have triumphed over them mainly because of it while others fell pretty well because it turnout to be a misjudgement. Unlike S.A and Zim they may not scare you with their displays and exploits. While the mentioned two of their many rivals benefit more from the shivers they send with their fast paced and sometimes bossy approach to the game the Chipolopolo have had a bait to benefit from in form of their deceiving brand of football. Watchout, that bait can be likened to a fish bait on the hook. Some fish have managed to steal it while we kknow very well that other came out of the water because of it.
I have watched the Malagasy in action. They are quite a good passing side. They seem to enjoy playing a high intensity game as witnessed in all the matches they played at COSAFA 2018 so far but I will be itching to see how they maintain or adapt to the situation in their encounter with Zambia who in my view pose a different challenge to the teams the Malagasy have encountered in the 2018 COSAFA tournament. Above all one may ask themselves questions pertaining to how they managed to run at top speed in as much games as they played. Will they be the same running team or they are now a slowed down team. The way a team manages the valuable game mileage resource often referred to as endurance is another factor to consider. Did they manage it well? If they did we will see it today.
Good luck to both teams.
Game on
ok…..
Yes I tend to concur with Anonymous, deceit is what happens when you don’t understand the Chipolopolo.
Remember what the Brazilian coach of Eq. Guinea said in 2012 in his home town just before the AFCON?, he said “Zambia is the weakest team in our Group and we have no fear for them.” at the end of the Eq. Guinea vs Zambia match he was made to swallow humble pie.
I am not privy to what the Madagascar Coach said about Zambia. following on Coach Chambeshi’s reaction, I can remind this coach that either ha does not under stand the history of the 2 countries in Football or he is just adamantly stubborn.
Here are 3 apsects he should remember
In 1973, Kabwe Warriors were stoned in Madagascar (then Malagasy, when the started leading Forte Majunga 4-0 having beaten the 7-1 in Lusaka (then all international games were played at Independence Stadium. I remember as a youngster hearing Dennis Liwewe (MHSRIP) shouting from a locked changing room for the Zambia Airforce to send Jets to the rescue. Chitalu was later pictured with a bucket over his head and Boniface Simutowe had his head injured and developed a permanentscar at the back of his head)
On 3rd April, 2000 Nchanga Rangers players were pelted with an assortment of missiles forcing the game to be halted for 10 minutes as police took over the stadium to restore order in a game against Maha Massina in Antananarivo.
Zambia has met Madagascar 12 times in all competitions, drawing once and losing 3 times, but winning 8 times.
We know football is a changing game and even if they beat us today, they are no where near our game.
Well done boys the Chipolopolo – Lets just avoid selfiness when in D zone and minimize more touches – play a one- and one-two situations. Chipolopolo will be untouchable. GO GO Zambia.