Kennedy Musonda and Aimé Mabika will be missing from the Chipolopolo squad. Nevertheless, the 2012 AFCON Champions have all the necessary ingredients to get the better of Ivory Coast on home turf.
Bolanews lists five reasons why Zambia can carry the day this Saturday.
1. Home Advantage
Avram Grant’s tenure can continue on a good note, provided the boys maximize home advantage. It was a slow start in their home game against Lesotho when they conceded first. The Copper Bullets fought back with a goal from Fashion Sakala and a brace from Lameck Banda. Many Zambians felt the back-to-back victories against Lesotho were a walkover.
However, this will be a perfect litmus test for the Chipolopolo who are desperate to make a return to AFCON. Zambia may just have an ace up their sleeve in their recent resurgence of a familiar face as revenge beckons.
2. Fashion Sakala’s form
The Rangers forward has been in red-hot form and should be keen on taking his form at club level to the national team. You can bank on the former Zanaco man to cause problems for the Ivorians. Fashion terrorised the Scottish League prior to its conclusion, and he was instrumental as they finished second in the league. As a result, the Zambian scored 12 goals and assisted on seven occasions. He beat his own personal best set in the previous league campaign.
3. Sunzu’s towering presence
Scorer of the winning penalty against Ivory Coast, Stopilla Sunzu’s longevity in the squad will be instrumental in this encounter. A darling among the Zambians, should he play, his physique, composure, and leadership—all of those traits—will play a massive role if they manage to shut the door for their opponents.
4. Ivory Coast Will Be Without Their Stars
The Western Africans have a galaxy of stars but will most certainly be missing some of the brightest ones in Ndola. Head Coach Jean-Louis Gasset will be without Nicolas Pepe, Wilfred Zaha, and Sebastian Haller. These major absentees may provide Zambia with a chance of getting revenge after losing 3-1 in the group opener.
5. Patson Daka’s Burning Desire To Prove Himself
Daka may have struggled in the first game against Lesotho, but his performance was particularly impressive in the second match. The Leicester City frontman scored twice to cap off a brilliant performance, with Fashion setting up both goals. It was a turbulent time for the Foxes following their Premier League relegation. A brilliant performance for Kafue Celtics product will be a confidence booster.
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Avram Grant will be eager for his players to draw on the positive experiences from their last two games with him in the dugout. Zambia will need a strong performance on home soil against a side that will qualify as the host nation even if they finish third in the group.
