Bruised Zambia battle Lesotho in World Cup qualifier with Ghana keenly interested
Posted On Thursday, 21st March 2013
Herve Renard’s Zambia heads to Maseru on Sunday with the pressure of great expectations swirling over their heads.
Zambia’s March 24 game against Lesotho in a Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup Group D qualifier will mark their first competitive match since the 2013 Africa Cup.
The 2012 African champions have been under-fire since their AFCON title defence flop last January and for many Maseru only means one thing; redemption time.
Ghana are keen on the outcome of the game as they are overly keen on picking the group’s only ticket for the final phase of the qualifiers.
Zambia won three free points from Sudan after a protest by the Zambians earned them the points that has given them the edge over the Black Stars.
The Chipolopolo were far from convincing at the recent Africa Cup of Nations and coach Renard knows they have to win in Maseru to assuage their fans.
“A lot of comments have been said by a lot of people,” Renard said.
“I know what the people are expecting from me.”
In the midst of all the expectations, they are minimal changes or no major surprises to the team made by Renard since January.
Captain and striker Christopher Katongo retains his place despite his below par showing in South Africa.
There is however much anticipation now that midfielder Rainford Kalaba has fully recovered from a groin injury after struggling with fitness in Nelspruit and whose form symbolised Zambia’s poor AFCON.
But Renard has injury worries regarding the fitness of defender Stopilla Sunzu who arrived in camp with a knee problem and is currently doing light training.
Victory over Lesotho will keep Zambia top of Group D and move them from six to nine points from three games played.
Meanwhile, although Lesotho are bottom of Group D on one point, they are unbeaten at home on the road to Brazil after holding Sudan to a scoreless draw on June 10 in Maseru.
Lesotho coach Leslie Notsi though, is still not taking Zambia for granted despite their woes and his teams’ current Group D home record.
“Now they will be more dangerous because they will be like wounded Tigers,” Notsi said.
“I am still expecting a very tough game.”
Related Images
READERS COMMENTS
Live Radio
Live TV
Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player.
RELATED NEWS
LATEST HEADLINES
Uganda to disrupt Zambia’s World Cup campaign with Renard approach
Ghana’s World Cup qualifying opponents Zambia have a new fight on their hands as they will be desperate to hold onto their coach Herve Renard with Uganda chasing after him.
South African clubs chase Swazi-based Ghanaian striker Mohammed
Two top South African clubs Kaizer Chief and Mamelodi Sundowns are chasing Ghanaian striker Mike Mohammed who is in top form in Swaziland.
Portugal-based youngster eyes Black Satellites place
Portugal-based striker Lord Ofosuhene is among the foreign-based players who could be considered to boost Ghana’s U20 squad for the U20 World Cup in Turkey in June.
Pictures: Black Starlets visit San Siro-home of AC Milan and Inter
Ghana's U17 team visited the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, popularly known as San Siro, which is home of rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Hearts could still be without trio McCarthy, Ansah and Cobbinah
Ghanaian Premier League giants Hearts of Oak could still be without trio Philemon McCarthy, Obed Ansah and Winful Cobbinah who are suffering from various degree of injuries.
Influential Hearts midfielder Moro to miss AshGold trip, apologises to fans for red card
Hearts of Oak influential midfielder Moro Abubakar has issued an apology to the club's fans following his sending off in the MTN FA Cup round of 16 victory over Starke FC on Sunday.LATEST HEADLINES
Categories
- Africa
- Archives
- AshGold
- Berekum Chelsea
- Dwarfs
- English Premier League
- Forum
- France
- germany
- Ghana Players Abroad
- Ghana Prem Lge
- Hearts of Oak
- Holland
- Italy
- Juniors
- Kotoko
- Latest News
- Latest news from Ghanabusinessnews
- Latest news from Ghanaweb
- Latest news from Myjoyonline
- Latest news from Peacefmonline
- Latest Videos
- Latest World Football Videos
- Live Score
- Live Scores
- Medeama
- Multimedia
- Nations Cup
- newswire
- spain
- Transfer News & Rumours
- Transfers
- Videos
- WATCH LIVE GHANA TV
- Women
- World Cup
- World Football
Go Chipolopolo!!!
Shut up you Bantu ape!!
wapya baisa
They going nowhere.
l feel Zambia might just edge this one here nontheless i shall get suprised when they get beaten because they are now leaening to cope with pressure. i can see Lesotho equalise q last minute Zambian lead. Leat we forget Zambia after beating Moçambique away has never won on any away soil till now. So make them think they are winning. we meet on Zamfoot on Monday. congrats if you win but if you loose, be sure we shall invade the website like how it happened in Velke Gradisté = hidden and dangerous deluxe
zambians aint goin no where….losers