The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chipolopolo

  • Xenophobic Attacks: Bafana Bafana vs Chipolopolo friendly in limbo

    The lyrics by late reggae legend Bob Marley that “when the rain falls, it doesn’t fall on one man’s house top” best described current development as the xenophobic attack in South Africa is on verge of truncating a friendly match between South Africa and Zambia.

    The match fixed for Saturday which should have served as the first in charge for new Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki is on the verge of being cancelled as there are pressures on Zambia to jettison the arrangement since the attacks also extended to Gauteng which has high concentration of other Africans including Zambians.

    Although many reports indicate that Nigerians are mostly targeted but some other reports insist that it is not just Nigerians but also other African countries.

    South Africa based News24 reported that protesters and looters have targeted foreigners in different parts of Gauteng over the past few days.

    Zambia football Association is reportedly under intense pressure to call off the match billed for Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka

    Bafana Bafana Coach Molefi Ntseki and his squad are currently camping in Johannesburg and were scheduled to depart for Zambia on Thursday even as local media are said to be monitoring reaction from both SAFA and ZAFA ahead of scheduled Thursday’s departure of Bafana Bafana for Lusaka.

    Chipolopolo  : Will their friendly against Bafana Bafana hold on Saturday?

    Some other reports indicate that a number of African countries are not happy with the reported attacks in the Rainbow Nation and may not be eager to play should the match against Zambia fail prompting the need for a replacement team to face Bafana Bafana who made it to the quarterfinals of the last Nations cup before bowing out after losing 2-1 to Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Cairo Stadium.

    Samuel Chukwueze had shot Eagles into the lead in the 27th minute of the encounter but Zungu equalised for Bafana Bafana in the 71st minute but it was Troost Ekong’s 89th minute goal that finally put the match out of the reach of the South Africans who interestingly sent hosts packing in the round of 16 thanks to a lone goal by Thembinkosi Lorch in the 86th minute.

  • IT IS WAR! As Eagles battle Chipolopolo in Uyo

    IT IS WAR! As Eagles battle Chipolopolo in Uyo

     

    Finally today is here!. In a couple of hours the much talked about and awaited battle of all wars between Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chipolopolo of Zambia will take the centre stage at the Nest of Champions Uyo. It is one match that both teams have declared a much win because it will to a large extent determine whether or not they will be on parade at the 2018 world Cup in Russia.

    Nigeria leads the group with 10 points with Zambia in hot pursuit with 7 points. Call it different strokes for different folks and you will be perfectly correct.  The Super Eagles are searching for consolidation while the Zambians are hoping to turn the table. The technical crews of both teams have done all the boasting and all the talking and even the players have done likewise, but today is here.  It is not a day for too much talking any more.

    It is not a day to dwell on pedigree and past records.  It is a day for action on the pitch.  It is a day 90 minutes action will say who indeed is the master of the game.  No doubt the game will be technical and only the team that is technically and tactically disciplined will carry the day.  Each team will be looking out for

    Loopholes, and costly mistake that can be capitalised upon. Complacency definitely has no room in this game because it will come with unpleasant consequences.

    A confident Zambia Coach Wedson Nyirenda who insists he and his boys are not under pressure, is optimistic they can turn the table. Guarding his tactics jealously Nyirenda says he sees his team singing victory song at the end.

    The Eagles according to him have experience no doubt but the strength of the Zambians he added will make the difference.

    Nyirenda insists when Eagles enjoyed victory in Ndola last year, his team appeared to have minimal concentration but now the story is different adding that “Eagles will be making a mistake if they assume that it will be business as usual”.

    One thing going for Gernot Rohr is that he has the full compliments of his team coupled with the determination of the John Obi Mikel Captained team to go all out for the kill.  Operation wrap it up has been the slogan since Mikel arrived from his base in china. His coordination and contribution in what has been achieved so far is worthy of note and he has given the credit to his teammates while urging them not to rest until the ticket is in the kitty.

    The two teams are not strange bed fellows. They have clashed 17 matches, in both friendlies and competitive games with the Eagles winning seven while Chipolopolo won on five occasions. Five other encounters ended in a draw. Mathematically speaking Nigeria has an edge and desires to continue to lead.  As for Zambia the desire to turn the table and spring a surprise is so high. The trainings have been completed, now is time to walk the talk.

    To say that the nest of champions will be full to the capacity today is to put it mildly.

    Who will effectively translate the training and shape ups into result on the pitch?

    That all important questions will be answered in 90 minutes so let the battle begin, No blinking!

  • Eagles vow to continue beating Chipolopolo

    Eagles vow to continue beating Chipolopolo

    The Super Eagles are committed to improving Nigeria’s superior record against Zambia at senior international level, when both teams clash in a 2018 FIFA World Cup African Round 3 qualifying match in Ndola on Sunday.

    Skipper Mikel John Obi confirmed on Thursday that the team is ready for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification duels, which will see Nigeria play Zambia away on Sunday and host Algeria on 12th November before four more games next year.

    “We are all looking forward to the qualifying matches, starting with Sunday’s game in Zambia. Each and every one of us knows what it means – big battles that we have to win. We are ready for the challenge.”

    Nigeria has won six of 16 previous matches with Zambia at international level, drawing five and losing five.

    Zambia walloped Nigeria 5-1 in the first –ever encounter, a 1974 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Lusaka on 15th July 1973. Nigeria’s 3-2 win in the return leg in Lagos two weeks later was of no effect.

    Both teams battled to a 0-0 draw in Accra at the 1978 Cup of Nations, but Zambia then gained two successive 3-0 wins over Nigeria – a friendly in Lusaka in 1981 and a group phase clash at the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations in Libya.

    However, the Zambians have not beaten the Eagles in a competitive match in the past 31 years.

    Nigeria edged a memorable Africa Cup of Nations final in Tunis in 1994, and then prevailed over the Zambians 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the quarter –finals of the 2010 Cup of Nations in Angola.

  • Minister to Chipolopolo: You must defeat Super Eagles

    Minister to Chipolopolo: You must defeat Super Eagles

    Zambia’s Chipolopolo is doing everything possible to kick-start their campaign in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers on a good note.

    In the view of this, players and coaches have been spitting fire on their readiness to beat Nigeria’s Super Eagles this weekend., the Zambian sports minister, Moses Mawere believes beating Eagles remains a must for the team.

    Similarly, the Zambian sports minister, Moses Mawere believes beating Eagles remains a must for the team.

    According to the Post of Zambia, the minister believes qualifying for the 2018 World Cup is the only hope for Zambian football, saying there were high expectations from football fans.

    He charged the country’s national team to raise their game when they confront the star-studded Eagles at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on October 9.

    “The country’s expectation is high, the only hope is the World Cup after failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. I challenge the players and coaches to step up and perform better. We need to beat Nigeria, we can do it,” Mawere said.

    However, he said the match against Nigeria would help the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to convince the government on the need to engage an expatriate coach.

    “The engagement of the coach is not ours, it is up to the FAZ. Let them convince us that yes we need an expatriate coach or we can do with a local coach. Ours is just to support them,” the minister insisted.

  • ZAMBIA VS NIGERIA: Ikeme: Eagles ‘ll beat Chipolopolo

    ZAMBIA VS NIGERIA: Ikeme: Eagles ‘ll beat Chipolopolo

    Super Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has expressed confidence in the senior national team (Super Eagles) to beat Chipolopolo of Zambia in Ndola to get the maximum three points in the first leg Africa world Cup qualifier billed for Russia in 2018.

    The Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper in a telephone chat with NationSport said his team mates in the Super Eagles have resolved to compensate Nigerians with the 2018 World Cup ticket to erase the memory of not qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations back-to-back.

    “Playing at the FIFA World Cup finals is the joy of any footballer and some of us will not have the opportunity of playing again if we miss the 2018 edition.

    “Speaking further, he said in a meeting in Uyo, before the game against Tanzania the players resolved  to fight for the sole ticket in the group by giving their best anytime we are invited. I can assure you that we will beat Zambia in Ndola,”  Ikeme boasted.

    He also stated that not keeping regularly in his club has no effect on him when it comes to national team assignment.

    The super Eagles will play Zambia’s Chipolopolo  on October 9th in Ndola.

  • WCQ: FIFA picks Egyptian officials for Zambia-Nigeria clash

    WCQ: FIFA picks Egyptian officials for Zambia-Nigeria clash

    Egyptian referees led by Ghead Grisha will handle World Cup qualifier between Zambia and Nigeria slated for October 9 in Ndola.

    Grisha was also in charge of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations group phase clash between the Super Eagles and the Chipolopolo, at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa, africanFootball.com reports.

    Grisha, who has been a FIFA referee since 2008, will be assisted by fellow Egyptians Tahssen Abo El Sadat Bedyer (assistant referee 1), Ahmed Hossameldin Taha (assistant referee 2) and Ibrahim Noureldin (fourth official).

    Former FIFA referee, Zeli Sinko, from Cote d’Ivoire, will serve as referee assessor, while former Ghana FA president, Mahamadu Nuru Deen Jawula, will be the match commissioner.

  • OPERATION SHOCK CHIPOLOPOLO: NFF won’t stop Enyeama

    OPERATION SHOCK CHIPOLOPOLO: NFF won’t stop Enyeama

    The green light required for former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama to return to the squad ahead of Nigeria’s first game  against the Chipolopolo of Zambia on October 9, has been secured following an approval by chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) not to stop him.

    Sportinglife gathered from those who should know at the Glasshouse on Sunday night that Enyeama is free to return to the team if the Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr invites him for the first game against Zambia, in spite of the fact that he was dismissed from the team’s camp after a shouting match with Sunday Oliseh.

    One of the federation’s top shots told Sportinglife in a terse text message on Sunday that: “I think the coach can use his discretion. Vincent Enyeama, no doubt is a fantastic goalkeeper. If the coach feels he needs him, the federation will gladly welcome him.

    Asked what would happen to the captaincy band being worn by Chelsea FA of England’s midfield pearl, John Mikel Obi, the NFF chief wrote: “Also the discretion of the coach. He knows how to manage egos of players.”

  • ZAMBIA VS NIGERIA Eagles/Chipolopolo tie records highest ticket sales

    ZAMBIA VS NIGERIA Eagles/Chipolopolo tie records highest ticket sales

    Sipho Gama, General Manager of the province’s Culture, Sports and Recreation Department has revealed that the match between Nigeria and Zambia has so far recorded the highest number of ticket sales.

    “We are very concerned about the slow tickets sales, we have to come out with strategies to create awareness and encourage people to buy tickets. People are not just buying tickets except group tickets purchased by teams playing at the centre. The match between Nigeria and Zambia has so far recorded the highest number of ticket sales. But sales of tickets are generally slow,’’ Gama said.

    “You know, where we have stated which countries will be playing in Mbombela and people are excited about it, they have got the flags of the nations playing here and the national flags of South Africa. We have given them vuvuzelas and we are saying to them go and buy tickets, so that you can be at the stadium. So, I think the campaign is working for us,’’ Gama added.

    Meanwhile, Mpumalanga provincial government is working round the clock to woo members of the public to purchase tickets for games.

    Sipho Gama, General Manager of the province’s Culture, Sports and Recreation Department, said they had embarked on road shows to encourage members of the public to purchase tickets for the tournament.

    Mbombela Stadium will host group C matches with teams – Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Zambia, the defending champions, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.

    The LOC had raised concerns at the slow tickets sales. He said the awareness campaign would continue until the tournament’s kick off on Jan. 19.

  • Renard boasts Eagles can’t stop Chipolopolo

    Renard boasts Eagles can’t stop Chipolopolo

    NATIONAL team coach Herve Renard says it will be difficult for Nigeria’s Super Eagles and any team to beat Zambia at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.

    And Renard says Saturday’s match against Tanzania is an opportunity for local players to show they can deliver.

    He insisted that the team has enough time to prepare for the continental championship kicking off on January 19.

    Renard said in an interview in Lusaka Monday that the team will swing into full preparations on December 26 in South Africa.

    “We have a lot of time to prepare but like I have said before what is important is for the team to be ready on the D-day. We have about a month before we play our first game of the tournament against Ethiopia,” he said.

    Zambia face Ethiopia on January 21 in a Group C match before taking on Nigeria and Burkina Faso on January 25 and January 29 respectively.

    Renard said the results from friendly matches are not important because his aim is to ensure the team is ready for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

    The 2012 Africa Cup winning coach said it is good that almost all the players are in and will train together for a month.

    He said the team will not be under pressure in South Africa because they will be ready for the challenge.

    Renard said the team’s aim is to go to South Africa and defend the Africa Cup trophy.

    “The year 2012 was a fantastic year for Zambian football. The football spirit is very high at the moment in the country. Just look at the Zone Six final between Zambia and South Africa. The stadium was full and some people were outside. This is very good but I think even 2013 will be the same,” he said.

    And the coach said young players will have a platform to show their potential when Zambia plays Tanzania on Saturday.

    The charismatic coach said he intends to use senior players only for 45 minutes.

  • 2013 African Cup of Nations: Eagles draw Chipolopolo

    2013 African Cup of Nations: Eagles draw Chipolopolo

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been paired alongside African Cup of Nations (AFCON) defending champions, Zambia’s Chipolopolo, Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes and Burkina Faso’s Stallions in Group C in Wednesday’s 2013 draw at the International Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa.

    The ceremony which is a fair draw for the Stephen Keshi side also saw the 16 qualified teams drawn into four groups of four teams.

    Group A sees hosts South Africa go up against Angola, Morocco and Cape Verde, a potentially tough run for Bafana Bafana

    Ghana’s Black Stars are the top seeds in Group B, and have been drawn alongside Mali, Niger and DR Congo.

    While Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants are in Group D with Tunisia, Algeria and Togo, a possible Group of Death.

    Interestingly, the Eagles will open their quest for silverware against Burkina Faso on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the Mbombela Stadium by 20:00 (local time) after Zambia tackle Ethiopia in Group C opener at 17:00.