ZAMBIA RISK EARLY EXIT
Afcon champs must win last group game
TITLEHOLDERS Zambia are teetering on the brink of elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations after a poor start in the tournament.
Should they come unstuck against Burkina Faso on Tuesday, Chipolopolo will suffer the ignominy of becoming the first defending champions to fail to make the knockout phase in 23 years.
Algeria were the last defending champions to go out in the group stages after winning in 1990 and later failing badly two years later in Senegal. Zambia s 1-all draw against Nige
’ ria has left their chances hanging by a thread as the Super Eagles are favourites to beat the Antelopes of Ethiopia in their last group C match in Mbombela, also on Tuesday.
It could have been different for Zambia had they translated their dominance into goals against Nigeria in a match in which they earned a point through a dubious penalty.
An outright victory against the Stallions is all that could guarantee Zambia a place in the quarterfinals.
As things stand, Burkina Faso top Group C with four points, with Zam- bia and Nigeria on two each and Ethiopia bottom with a single point.
Should Zambia draw against the Burkinabe, their fate will depend on the outcome of the match between Nigeria and Ethiopia that will be played simultaneously at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Just as he often does, Kennedy Mweene stepped up for Zambia against the Super Eagles, saving a penalty, though barely, and tucking away his spot kick to ensure Chipolopolo a share of the spoils.
But coach Herve Renard will need a Mweene in every one of his 11 troops to see off tournament revelations Burkina Faso, who will go into their next match with tons of confidence. We still have hope. We ll work “’ hard at training, we can t give up. We
’ have to fight, we are the champions after all,” said Mweene.
It won t be easy, but we can still “’ qualify for the quarterfinals. We knew there would be tough games such as the one we just played. We ve got to
’ lift our game and see ourselves through to the next stage.” Renard said: We are still in a
“good way to get qualification. We have our destiny in our own hands.”
Just like some of the big name players in the tournament, Zambia skipper Christopher Katongo has failed to inspire his team to great heights. He was substituted in two successive games. And he ll have to lift his per
’ formance if he is to taste the sweet
“again ”, as he said before the tournament. Everyone knows the importance “of the last game. But Nigeria and Zambia have to win their last game too, said Katongo. ” Zambia routed Burkina Faso 5-1 in the 1996 Afcon edition and though Burkina Faso have greatly improved in the tourney, Zambia should be favourites to beat them.