International Friendly: We’re Here For Serious Business —Zambia Coach

Though the match is supposed to be a friendly tie, Zambia’s Chipolopolo is not taking the game lightly as they have vowed to compound the woes of Nigeria’s Super Eagles when both teams clash this evening at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

Zambia’s coach, Frenchman Herve Renard said they are in Nigeria for serious business with the Eagles whose new coach, Stephen Keshi, faces another baptism of fire after he led his side to a barren draw against Botswana in Saturday’s international friendly match in Benin, Edo State.

Renard said he is determined to ensure that his Africa Cup of Nations-bound team secure victory against the Eagles in Kaduna, having lost against the Nigerian side in the quarter final of Angola 2010 Nations Cup.

Renard said his team are in high spirits as they are yet to forget the painful defeat of the Nations Cup.

“Nigeria were the last team I faced with the Chipolopolo in 2010, and they are the first team I am facing on my return. That is why this game is very important for me,” said Renard, who was relieved of his post after the 2010 Nations Cup only to be reappointed by the current Zambian FA board.

“There is no doubt that Nigeria’s Eagles are a force to reckon with in Africa, hence our decision to play them as part of our build up for the Nations Cup. We are not going to be pushed aside as we will play them with all seriousness,” he said on Brila FM early today.

Meanwhile, the Eagles’ coach, Keshi, has again said that he is using today’s match to understudy his players.

“What I have in mind is to use the friendly to see all the players. It is not all of them that will play in the game because time is not on our side. But I will have the opportunity to familiarise myself with the players through this match,” said Keshi.

The coach further said that the games against Botswana and Zambia are designed to give some of the local players opportunity to rub shoulder with the professional players in the team.

“The game against Zambia won’t be winner takes all affairs. There are some local players in camp fighting for shirts alongside the foreign-based players. The matches will help me to assess these players and have a close contact with them,” he said.

— Bamidele Olowosagba &  Bimbo Ajayi