Football Association of Zambia, FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya believes tomorrow’s eargely anticipated South Africa 2013 African Cup of Nations Group C match between Zambia and Nigeria will be a ‘classic.’
Kalusha, a former Zambia captain who played in the 1994 AFCON final against the Stephen Keshi [current Nigeria coach] captained side posted on his facebook wall urging his follows to accept the result against Ethiopia but now to look forward to the mouthwatering clash against against media hyped Nigeria.
“ We have accepted the result and should look forward to next match on Friday against Nigeria. It will be a classic,” Africa’s famous no.11 wrote.
While Kalusha, who is also a CAF Executive Member will be hoping tomorrow’s tie can replicate and produce the drama of that match at Stade de Tunis in Tunisia 19 years ago, the 1988 African Footballer of the Year will be hoping the result go the reigning African Champions’ way.
Flashback: Kalusha against Nigeria in the 1994 AFCON final. The Chipolopolo Boys’ performance against Ethiopia in the first match has been critised but the legendary Kalusha, who once worked with the likes of Kennedy Mweene, Rainford Kalaba, Chris Katongo, Collins Mbesuma, James Chamanga, Jacob Mulenga and Joseph Musonda when he was the coach between 2004 and 2006, feels different.
Kalusha’s view is that Zambia had a good and enjoyed a lot of possesion.
“I thought I saw a good Zambia team. We had a lot of possession and control of the match. We had the better chances but we missed the finer-touch in front of goal. A win will come. Ethiopia kept coming at us, got one chance and levelled the score.
Whatever Kalusha’s thoughts are, tomorrow Herve Renard’s side have to gun down Nigeria and produce a better performance than the one against Ethiopia. The match already has been billed by many pundits across the globe as ‘one of the final before the actual AFCON final.’