With only a month to go before the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers kick-off, the ZamFoot Crew looks at the Chipolopolo boys’ busy group stage fixtures.
The back-to-back fixtures of the group stage will run over a period of three months.
Zambia is in Group B joined by Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, and Mauritania.
The Tunisians come in strong ranking 26th on the FIFA World rankings and having won 4 of their last 5. These include wins over Mali, Congo DR, Equatorial Guinea and Libya; losing only to Algeria.
Equatorial Guinea are ranking 132nd on the FIFA World rankings and having won 3 of their last 5. In that period, the Nzalang Nacional have recorded back-to-back wins over Libya, a home win over Tanzania and two defeats at the hands of Tunisia in the 2021 AFCON Qualifiers.
Mauritania equally comes in decent foam ranking 101st on the FIFA World rankings and having recorded 3 wins of their last 5. They have managed wins over Central Africa Republic, Liberia and Yemen; drawn with Morocco and lost to Algeria.
The Chipolopolo boys, who will head into the World Cup Qualifiers on the back of poor results are ranking 87th on the FIFA World rankings and having recorded 2 wins of their last 5. The wins came against Bostwana and Sudan; a draw with South Africa and loses to Eswatini and Lesotho respectively which culminated in the departure of Serbian Coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević.
Following unveiling of Zambia’s new technical bench comprising Beston Chambeshi, Numba Mumamba and Aljosa Asanovic, all is set for commencement of preparations.
A three-month contract has been given to the technical bench to guide the 2012 AFCON Champions through the tricky Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will have five representatives at Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. Only group winners of the ten groups will qualify to the final round where they will be drawn into five home-and-away ties. The winners of each tie will advance to the World Cup.
The biggest threat to Zambia’s progression to the next round in the quest for her maiden appearance is North African side, Tunisia. The two have met 12 times with Zambia only managing two draws and three wins.
The Carthage Eagles have been to five World Cups, four of which came in the last six editions.
Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania are not walk overs either and Beston Chambeshi and his technical bench will do well to win their home games and try to avoid defeat on the road.
FULL GROUP STAGE FIXTURES
Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
September 1, 2021
Mauritania vs Zambia
September 5, 2021
Zambia vs Tunisia
October 6, 2021
Equatorial Guinea vs Zambia
October 10, 2021
Zambia vs Equatorial Guinea
November 11, 2021
Zambia vs Mauritania
November 14, 2021
Tunisia vs Zambia
Bestone Chambeshi has the easiest of jobs. He must just assemble the 2017 u20 team all of them, without exception and we shall have a strong team. but he must not include alan chibwe, his useless goal keeper, in this team.
I would urge the technical bench to organize a strong defense and that’s key.
We will qualify mark my words
Tunisya isn’t a huge threat at all, we’er the super eagles, come on. Go chipolopolo Go!!!!
where are Daka and Mwepu?