Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Chipolopolo host Cote d’Ivoire in a friendly at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday to mark Zambia’s 50th independence anniversary that falls on October 24.
As this is not a Fifa date, both teams have fielded a mix of home-based players and junior internationals with an eye on the future.
The match will also see the first time ex-Chipolopolo coach Herve Renard will face the side he led to Africa Cup glory in 2012.
“We brought thirteen Under-20 players. Some of them won the Under-17 Africa Cup two years ago. We told them it will be a difficult game against Zambia but what is important is to celebrate Zambia’s independence,” Renard said.
Zambia on the other hand will have two foreign based players in the team in striker Jonas Sakuwaha of TP Mazembe and Zimbabwean-based defender Aaron Katebe from FC Platinum.
“We are happy with how they have responded to training and think this game will give them the best possible chance to show what they can do,” Zambia assistant coach Kampamba Chintu said.
Meanwhile, this will be the will be the two sides sixth clash and first since Zambia beat the main Elephants team in the 2012 Africa Cup finals.
Surprisingly, The Elephants have only beaten Zambia once dating back to the 1992 African Cup quarterfinals in Senegal.
Zambia has three wins including a 3-0 victory against Cote d’Ivoire’s home-based team in the two sides opening Group A match at the inaugural Caf African Nations Championships in Abidjan in 2009.
SUPER SPORTS