They were Champions 10 years ago, now Chipolopolo are gambling and praying for us to be thrown out.
Spare a thought for Chipolopolo.
Exactly 10 years ago, they scaled Mount Kilimajaro when they defied the odds to transform themselves into the Champions of football on the continent.
It was a fairytale triumph, which came in Libreville, the Gabonese capital which, until then, had represented their darkest hour.
Back in 1993, a chartered military plane, carrying a generation of Zambia’s finest talent of footballers, came down off the coast of Libreville, killing everyone on board.
And, as the Zambians defeated favourites Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout, in the 2012 African Cup of Nations final, there was a feeling the spirits of their fallen heroes were playing with them.
Despite the bitter rivarly between Zambia and Zimbabwe, when it comes to football, Chipolopolo’s success in Gabon was also celebrated by many fans in the country.
Rather than side with with Didier Drogba and his star studded crew, the local football fans chose to stick with the devil they know and threw their support behind the Zambians despite Chipolopolo being their biggest rivals in the game.
Atleast they had provided us with a challenge that, if they could it, by transforming themselves into Champions of Africa, there was no challenge for us not to dream big.
The 2021 AFCON finals, which get underway in Cameroon on Sunday, would have provided the Chipolopolo with the perfect stage for them to celebrate the 10th anniversary of winning the biggest football prize on the continent
However, Zambians failed to qualify for the finals, the third straight time they have missed Africa’s premier football showcase, after their non-appearance in Gabon in 2017 and Egypt 2019.
They were in the same group as the Warriors during the qualifiers which was dominated by the Algerians.
However, Chipolopolo’s 1-2 defeat courtesy of Khama Billiat brace in Lusaka virtually sealed their fate and although they beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in Harare, the match was just of academic interest.
By the time, the two teams clashed in that game, the Warriors had already booked their ticket to the 2021 AFCON finals with a game to spare.
Now, some officials within the Football Association of Zambia have become so desperate they feel they can even squeeze into the AFCON finals in Cameroon through the back four.
They are praying the Warriors will be barred from taking part at the 2021 AFCON finals by FIFA in the wake of suspension of the ZIFA by the Sports and Recreation Commission.
“We have followed keenly the development in Zimbabwe and have always remained open to being part of the Nations Cup if Zimbabwe is banned,” Sidney Mungala, the Zambian FA’s media officer, told BBC Sport Africa.
“Given the length of the time before the tournament kicks off, we would have hoped that this matter would have been resolved by now.”
However, even the BBC themselves don’t sound certain
“Zimbabwe are set to contest Group B alongside Senegal, who they play on 10 January, ahead of further clashes with Malawi and Guinea.
“Zambia, who won the Nations Cup in 2012, could theoretically fill the Warriors’ place but with the deadline for squads having passed, it is unclear what strength of side they could take to the finals.
“Without proper call-ups and timely notifications, neither Patson Daka (Leicester City), Enoch Mwepu (Brighton & Hove Albion) nor Fashion Sakala (Rangers, Scotland) are likely to be released by their British clubs in the event that Zimbabwe are indeed banned.
“It would definitely present a challenge but we believe the Caf/Fifa regulations would be able to help us should the situation arise where we become part of the Nations Cup,” he said.
“Additionally, we believe our players would relish the opportunity to represent their country at the continent’s biggest showpiece.”
How things change
African Champions, just 10 years ago, now expecting just to make the tournament by default, at the expense of disqualification of the Warriors.
The FAZ officials know that gives their country’s status as a major football power house is not the right way to try and appear at the AFCON finals.
The 33rd edition of the Nations Cup kicks off on Sunday 9 January when hosts Cameroon take on Burkina Faso in Yaounde.
[Hmetro.co.zw]
This FAZ administration can make you cry mwe. They haven’t even appointed a coach and are talking about possibly assembling a squad for AFCON. Let Zimbabwe do their thing. I’m excited to see what this AFCON will bring. I’ve actually been reading the previews on bbc and think this will be a fun tourney. Just saddened by all the players who’ve not made the trip due to club issues, injuries, or illness. Either way, look forward to Africas showpiece
Chimo no buloshi. Wishing ill on your neighbors so you can benefit. Sucker and loser mentality. Winning is done on the pitch. We don’t deserve to be there, and if Zimbabwe were to be disquified, I hope they just okay that group with 3 teams instead of calling teams that don’t deserve to be there
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