The Zambia National Team will this evening engage Guinea Bissau in a highly anticipated Cameroon 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at National Heroes Stadium.
It will mark Chipolopolo coach Sven Vandenbroeck’s debut home match with stakes very high as Zambia has so far only managed one point from a possible six, after losing 1-0 at home to Mozambique and drawing 1-all away to Namibia.
Vandenbroeck can seek solace in the fact that all the players summoned for duty have turned up with most of them in top form for their clubs.
Skipper Kennedy Mweene will take up his familiar role between the sticks with a central defence partnership of Stoppilla Sunzu and Kabaso Chongo taking command at the heart of the defence.
The left back position may be taken up by Lawrence Chungu although Fackson Kapumbu offers some stiff competition with Solomon Sakala expected to be deployed as a right back.
In midfield Nathan Sinkala will take care of business with the likely partnership of Polokwane City hard man Salulani ‘Spanner’ Phiri.
There will be a bit of a positive headache for the coach upfront with 2017 CAF Young Player of the Year Patson Daka certain to lead the attack while the wings could be occupied by jet-heeled Augustine Mulenga and Rainford Kalaba with Fashion Sakala and Justin Shonga knocking hard on the door.
It is however the mercurial Enock ‘Computer’ Mwepu’s deployment that remains the coach’s secret as the Red Bull Salzburg midfielder came off from the bench in the last match against Namibia.
Whatever the case Vandenbroeck and his bench know that expectations are high and will have to conjure a win to ensure that Africa Cup qualification remains in sight.
Kickoff is at 17:30 hours with the match live on ZNBC.
@fazfootball.com
