Zambia – Egypt preview: YA RAB!!

I couldn’t find an English equivalent as good as this one that can perfectly describe the situation we are facing before this game.

Mathematically and logically our chances are weak but it is this pessimism and low expectations and even carelessness of some fans toward the game as they say we are going to lose and that the other team will be celebrating qualification to the world cup that makes it worth watching.

People cursing Shehata for his players’ choices, Tides of pessimism immersing forums, comments sections and everyday chatting between people; especially after the U-20 team’s failure, debate over Zidan whether he should have been called or not and reports on international football websites underrating our chances of qualification and tipping the group leaders as favorites……etc.

Good stuff I say, this exactly when we play our best.

A look at the group standings says that we have to beat the team who grabbed a point from us in Cairo stadium, beat them at their home, preferably with a score, just to keep our chances of qualifying alive.

The task isn’t easy; and the fact that we have to play at noon and on a very bad pitch more than 50 Km away from the hotel doesn’t make it any easier; it is difficult but definitely not impossible.

Too much Hype has surrounded this game; Renard, Zambia’s coach, statements have been flooding football news sites and newspapers; one time says it is difficult to beat Egypt, the next he says we will beat us, then he says Algeria deserves qualification; even the President of Zambia said that his team needs some changes ahead of Egypt’s game!!!

Theoretically speaking, Zambia have some stakes in this game too; they need at least one point to secure qualification to African cup next January so the last thing we should expect is an easy opponent who would accept defeat easily, if not for qualification it is for the personal fame of preventing Egypt from qualifying to the world cup.

Worth mentioning is that many will be watching this game and we needn’t give them a chance to rejoice….you know what I mean!!!

Zambia

After a brave performance against Algeria in Algeria having a goal denied unfairly by the referee for offside, the Chipolopolo has carried on a reshuffle inside the team bringing back players like Collins Mbesuma and Rainford Kalabaand and choosing more than 15 players who play in the local and some of them aren’t even attached to any club.

They have been preparing for the game for over a month and apparently they are taking it more than seriously.

However, our concern shouldn’t be them scoring at us as their attacking form has been very weak during qualifications till now scoring 2 goals only in 4 matches; we should be worried from their defensive abilities, as we have seen in Algeria’s game they can defend well and keep strikers under control; especially, in the beginning but as they start attacking their defense opens up.

They can hold the ball well and keep possession, to beat them we need to play fast and on the ground and try as much as possible to avoid long and high balls as they have tall players who can handle it.

Probable Line-up: Kennedy Mweene – Emmanuel Mbola, Francis Kasonde, Denis Banda, Hichani Himonde – Isaac Chansa, Rainford Kalaba, Andrew Sinkala, Christopher Katongo – Jacob Mulenga, Collins Mbesuma

Here is the first round’s game

Egypt

We only have one option which is to win and for that, Shehata didn’t take any chances and has been preparing his players for more than 3 weeks playing a game against Mauritius, although a weak game but helped get the players in the mood.

Zaki and Barakat are back for the game; however we will be missing unfit Mido, Zidan who until now isn’t responding to the technical staff calls, Emad Meteb as well as El Sayed Hamdy and suspended Mohamed Shawky.

Slight injuries for Abu Treika and El Hadary won’t prevent them from participating at the game.

Given the importance of the game, new players like Doody El Gabas and Motasem Salem shouldn’t feature in the game; we have better alternatives anyway.

A good thing is that all media were concentrating on the youth team while the seniors were preparing quietly in the shade which saved them a lot of pressure they could have came under.

Here is the friendly against Mauritius

Based on what I saw, the team had better coordination between players than previous matches; Fathi excelled in this game while Abu Treika and Ahmed Hassan proved to be an indispensable couple; However, efficiency on goal was a big question mark as we didn’t take advantage of the many chances we had but this can be referred to lack of interest because of the weak opponent

Shehata will probably start with a alone striker, Zaki most probably and behind him Abu Treika with special concentration on midfield in an attempt to control the game; he would play with Ahmed Fathi in midfield beside Hassan and Hosni Abd Raboh to ensure his goal is safe and put Zambia under pressure.

All in all, we need the fittest and more experienced to play, no room for innovation and whoever enters the field should give 120% and realize that this the match that would rebirth this triumphant generation of players or destroy them forever, they must know that a country’s reputation is in hand and that their fans won’t endure any further disappointment.

I believe that they all know that very well and would be up to the expectations.

Probable formation:

………………………..El Hadary………………
Barakat……Gomaa……Hani Said….Oka…….Sayed Moawad
……………Abd Raboh….Ahmed Hassan…..Ahmed Fathi……
…………………………..Abu Treika……………..
……………………….Amr Zaki…………………….

The match

It will be tense and the atmosphere won’t help; as much as I would love it to happen, an early goal seems unattainable. The game will be highly tactical and chances will be rare so we better use them well, the first half may go goalless; The second half, however, Zambia will be more open and then we can score.

anyway, once we score the game will be much easier and we will get many chances from counter attacks; however, it is going to be the ultimate test for the defense as they will have the bigger share of action.

The other match

Rwanda needs to grab points to save their chances of qualifying to the African cup before they receive Zambia at home so FORZA RWANDA.
Match Card

What: Zambia – Egypt, 5th round group C, World Cup 2010 qualifications
Where: Konkola Stadium, Chililabombwe
When: 2:00 pm

Prediction: 2-1, Zaki, Abu Treika

Where to watch: (streaming before the game) or ESC, ART and terrestrial channels

Enjoy the Game and 2OLO YA RAB

OOOOOOOOOOOO MASRAWYYY