The Zambia national soccer team on Sunday evening play East African side Uganda in their opening match at the 2018 CHAN tournament.
The two teams have a rich history in competition dating back to October when Zambia traveled to Uganda where they lost 2 – 0; they have since met 36 times with Zambia narrowly bossing the statistics having won 17 times, drawing six times while Uganda has won 13 times.
Recent history favors the Chipolopolo as they have not lost a game to Uganda since 1992 having played 9 times between 1999 to-date with Zambia win 7 times while two international friendly matches ended in draws in Kampala.
The last time the two teams met at the 2016 CHAN tournament in Rwanda in the group stage. Zambia emerged victors with a 1 – 0 scoreline, thanks to a lone goal by then skipper Christopher Katongo.
On the path to the 201Uganda eased past South Sudan with a 5 – 1 aggregate scoreline on their path to the final before dispatching Rwanda with a 3 – 2 aggregate win thanks to a handsome 3 – 0 win at home in the first leg.
On current form, the Uganda CHAN team goes into the into this tournament well prepared having participated in the 2017 CECAFA tournament in December where they minted bronze.
The Cranes only lost once in five games in the semi-final to Zanzibar drawing twice. They scored 9 goals in the process but were also generous at the back conceding 5 times.
Unlike the Zambian delegation, they were not leaving any stone unturned for this tournament as they arrived in Morocco 9 days before the tournament kick-off and set camp in Rabat to acclimatize. They played two international friendly/practice games while there against Guinea and Congo drawing one all with the former and losing 1 – 0 to Congo.
There are no injury concerns in the Cranes camp, and with the team having played 7 competitive games in the past month also, they should have good cohesion going into the game.
Zambia on the other hand where dominant over their opponents in qualification easing past Swaziland with a 7 – 0 aggregate scoreline before forcing a 2 – 2 draw away against South Africa who they beat 4 – 2 on aggregate.
The CHAN team has largely been dormant since then having not played any international game, but coach Wedson Nyirenda will take relief in that the core of the Chipolopolo team that played in the World Cup qualifiers is comprised of local players.
The planned international friendly game against Zimbabwe failed to materialize and so did other friendly games which were planned for Morocco as the teams departure was significantly delayed with the team only arriving two days before tournament kickoff.
The Chipolopolo however managed to play one practice match against South African club Orlando Pirates who they beat 3 – 1 on their way to Morocco.
There is only one injury concern in the Zambia camp with midfielder Godfrey Ngwenya sidelined for today’s match after he picked a knock in the friendly game against Orlando Pirates. Otherwise, all the players are available for selection.
Trivial – Coach Wedson Nyirenda’s first victory in charge of the Chipolopolo came against the Cranes of Uganda in an international friendly match played in Kampala (Goal scored by Chisamba Lungu) in November 2016. He has since gone on to preside over 18 games; winning 9 times and losing 3 times in the process.
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Ok Thats a good record for coach Wada Wada