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Zambia vs Nigeria betting preview

Liverpool Fan — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 10:42:15 +0000

Game :- Zambia vs Nigeria

Competition :- African Cup of Nations 2010- quarterfinal

Venue :- Estádio Alto da Chela, Lubango

Date :- Monday, 25th January 2010

KO time :- 20.30 Angolan time.

This was widely expected to be a contest between Cameroon and Nigeria, but thanks to Zambia topping Group C, the Super Eagles will have to negotiate the Copper Bullets in order to reach the last four. Bet on Zambia vs Nigeria with our recommended bookmakers after reading this preview

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Zambia were at the bottom of Group D going into the last round of fixtures, but the Chipolopolo rose to the top by beating Gabon 2-1. Rainford Kalaba and James Chamanga scored for Zambia in that game. Kalaba is however suspended for the clash against Nigeria. Defender Kampamba Chintu is also in the same situation.

This is the first time since 1996 that Zambia have progressed beyond the group stages of the tournament.

Zambia coach Herve Renard is likely to persist with the 4-1-3-2 formation that he has adopted in all three of his group games. He has used the same starting XI in all three games, using Chamanga and Mulenga upfront. Changes will have to be made in midfielde and defence because of the suspensions handed out to Kampamba and Kalaba.

Gabon 1-2 Zambia ( Kalaba, Chamanga)
Zambia 2-3 Cameroon (Mulenga,Katongo)
Tunisia 1-1 Zambia ( Jacob Mulenga)
Zambia 4-2 Korea ( Chris Katongo, Rainford Kalaba, James Chamanga, Noah Chivuta )
Zambia 4-1 North Korea ( James Chamanga*3, Felix Sunzu)

Nigeria were outclassed by Egypt in their first game, but the Super Eagles did enough to stave off the challenges of Mozambique and Benin and qualify for the last eight of the competition.

Shaibu Amodu choses to play with three upfront. The three will most probably be Chinedu Obasi, Yakubu and Peter Odemwingie. Zambia’s back four and their holding midfielder will have their job cut out.

Nigeria – recent form – most recently played games first

Nigeria 3-0 Mozambique ( Peter Odemwingie*2,Obafemi Martins)
Nigeria 1-0 Benin (Yakubu)
Nigeria 1-3 Egypt (Obasi)
Kenya 2-3 Nigeria ( Obafemi Martins*2, Yakubu)
Nigeria 1-0 Mozambique ( Victor Obinna)

This is the first AFCON meeting between Zambia and Nigeria since the 1994 African Cup of Nations final, when Nigeria won 2-1.

Zambia have already achieved what they set out while a loss here could see Amodu being shown the door by Nigeria. The Super Eagles are stronger on paper, but they often struggle to click as an outfit. However Zambia are prone to moments of loss in concentration and Nigeria’s big tournament experience should be enough to see them through.

Verdict:- Zambia 2-3 Nigeria ( Chamanga, Mulenga/Yakubu, Obasi, Yobo)

CAN 2010 – Gabon vs Zambia preview

Liverpool Fan — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:32:40 +0000

Game:Gabon vs Zambia ( African Nations Cup Group D)
Date:21st January 2010
KO time: 17:00 Angolan time
Venue: Complexo da Sr. da Graca, Benguela

Two sides who were expected to make the numbers in Group D have a realistic chance of making it through to the next round. Both Gabon and Zambia will fancy their chances when the square off against each other in Benguela.

Gabon – recent form – most recently played game on top

Gabon 0-0 Tunisia
Gabon 1-0 Cameroon ( Daniel Cousin)
Gabon 2-0 Mozambique ( Daniel Cousin, Mucana Martinho OG)
Togo 1-0 Gabon
Gabon 3-1 Morocco (Hicham Mahdoufi, Daniel Cousin, Eric Mouloungui)

Gabon lead the group with four points in two games and just need to avoid defeat to confirm qualification. They could even go through if they lose to the Copper Bullets and Cameroon draw against Tunisia and have an inferior goal difference.

Gabon will be expected to play counter-attacking football which has served them well in the tournament. The Black Panthers will use the pace of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Daniel Cousin to pierce Zambia’s backline. Giresse will have to be careful with Mounduonga, Kessany, Aubameyang, Meye and Nguema who are all on a single yellow and will be suspended for the quarter final if they pick up another yellow in this game.

Zambia – recent form – most recently played game on top

Zambia 2-3 Cameroon (Mulenga,Katongo)
Tunisia 1-1 Zambia ( Jacob Mulenga)
Zambia 4-2 Korea ( Chris Katongo, Rainford Kalaba, James Chamanga, Noah Chivuta )
Zambia 4-1 North Korea ( James Chamanga*3, Felix Sunzu)
Rwanda 0-0 Zambia

Zambia have played some very flowing football in the tournament but have been struggling defensively having let in four goals in two games so far. Zambia can qualify for the next round only if the defeat Gabon and they will have to tighten up defensively in order to do so.

Jacob Mulenga is riding high after having scored in each game so far. Chris Katongo has struck a very good partnership with Mulenga. James Chamanga who has been in sensational form in recent games will provide another option in attack.

Match Verdict:I fancy Zambia to win this one. They were unlucky against Cameroon after having led for over 60 minutes. Zambia to go through with a win.

Gabon 1-2 Zambia (Cousin//Katongo,Mulenga)

Zambia vs Tunisia preview

Liverpool Fan — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:22:45 +0000

Game :- Zambia vs Tunisia ( Group D)

Date :-13th January 2010

KO time :- 19.30 Angolan Time

Tuesday’s second game in Group D sees Zambia play Tunisia in Lubango. The Carthage Eagles are yet to recover from their failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and coach Faouzi Benzarti has quite a task on his hands as he tries to get his players to deliver their best on the field.

Zambia were placed in a tough group two years ago and failed to qualify. The Copper Bullets started off well with a 3-0 win over Sudan, but were brought down to earth by Cameroon, who handed them a 5-1 thrashing. They finished off their group engagements by drawing with eventual champions Egypt.

Zambia were not able to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, but they did manage to get a couple of impressive results. They drew 1-1 with Egypt in Cairo and were narrowly beaten by Algeria in Blida.

Tunisia were beaten 2-1 by Gambia in their last friendly. Benzarti started with Adel Nefzi in goal instead of Aymen Mathlouthi. However Mathlouthi is expected to be back under the sticks for the Zambia game. Zouheir Dhaouadi might get the nod ahead of Chauki Ben Saada, while upfront, Issam Jemma should partner Amine Chermiti. Benzarti might also consider giving young striker Ahmed Akaichi some playing time. Akaichi was impressive against Gambia, but it is unlikely that Benzarti will start with the youngster in a such a crunch game.

Zambia form- last five games- most recent first- Zambia scorers in brackets-

Zambia 4-2 Korea ( Chris Katongo, Rainford Kalaba, James Chamanga, Noah Chivuta )
Zambia 4-1 North Korea ( James Chamanga*3, Felix Sunzu)
Rwanda 0-0 Zambia
Zambia 0-1 Egypt
Algeria 1-0 Zambia

Tunisia form- last five games- most recent first- Tunisia scorers in brackets-

Tunisia 1-2 Gabon ( Amine Chermiti)
Palestine 0-3 Tunisia
Mozambique 1-0 Tunisia
Tunisia 0-1 Saudi Arabia
Tunisia 1-0 Kenya ( Issam Jemaa)

Zambia are a vastly improved side, while Tunisia are still getting their act together.

Verdict:- Zambia 1-1 Tunisia ( Chamanga/ Chermiti)