Its do or die for Chipolopolo in Bissau

The Zambia national soccer team on Saturday evening will play Guinea Bissau in a ‘Do or Die’ encounter in the race to qualify for the 2017 Gabon Africa Cup of Nations.

The Chipolopolo are currently third in group E, a point behind their hosts today who lead the group on 7 points.

Zambia are level on points with Congo Brazaville but have an inferior on goal difference.

With two games to play, a loss for Chipolopolo will all but see the Chipolopolo miss out at the finals though there is a slim chance for a back door entry as the best second placed team.

Many fans will still have memories of the 2003 loss to Benin in West Africa when everyone expected Zambia to easily win and qualify but were beaten 3 – 0 in Cotonou; this was the last time Zambia missed the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Zambia goes into the game on a bad run of form having failed to win a game in the last six games losing once to Togo. The Chipolopolo also lost to Guinea on penalties at the CHAN.

Guinea Bissau on the other hand have won twice in the last six games losing three times.

Their two wins have come in the last two game when they beat Kenya at home and away by lone goals.

The West African are not indomitable at home. In the past five years, Guinea Bissau have only won twice at home; against Central Africa Republic in May 2014 and most recently against Kenya in March.

The Chipolopolo have a handsome away record under Lwandamina losing on twice in 12 games played away from home first against Egypt (3-0) and last week on Friday against Togo (1 – 0).

Four of these away games have been wins

George Lwandamina has an experienced team at his disposal that should easily do the job against the surprise leaders.

The two international friendly matches played in the past should also have given ‘Chicken’ an insight on which of his talented players in the squad have the right mentality ahead of the game.

Kennedy Mweene undoubtedly will start in goal with Davies Nkausu, Steven Kabamba, Stopilla Sunzu and Adrian Chama completing the backline.

Information received indicates that Sunzu is available for selection after injury concerns.

Nathan Sinkala will tuck-in the holding midfield role with Salulani or Katema joining him to add steel in midfield with skipper Rainford Kalaba, Chisamba Lungu available to supply the strikers.

In front where it will matter the most especially after failing to score in the last two friendly games, Lwandamina is spoiled for choice;

He could go with the striking partnership of PSL top scorer Collins Mbesuma and Chipolopolo’s most prolific striker in the recent past Winstone Kalengo.

From the friendly games, it is clear that that the pace of Evans Kangwa is one which the technical bench is looking at exploiting and is a sure starter either on the flank or right at the centre of attack.

There is also the option of playing 2012 winning captain Christopher Katongo in the hole.

The match kicks off at 1800hrs and will be live on Supersport. The ZamFoot Crew will give you live updates.