The fear of Zambia has become the beginning of wisdom for former national team goalkeeper, Abiodun Baruwa, as he warned the Super Eagles not to toy with the October 9 World Cup qualifier match against the Chipolopolo of Zambia, at Levy Nwanawasa Stadium, Ndola.
Baruwa warned that the Zambians will do everything to subdue Nigeria at home, saying that they are desperate to qualify for the World Cup just like any other teams in the qualifiers, and toying with them would be at the Eagles’ peril.
“Nigeria should not just follow what is going on in the Zambian camp, they are serious about going to the World Cup. Although, Zambia is having the same problem with Nigeria, as they failed to qualify for the 2017 Nations Cup, going to the World Cup is their only option, so they are not joking with the game against Nigeria,” he said.
Zambia recently unveiled a new coach, Wedson Nyirenda, for Chipolopolo ahead of the tie against the Super Eagles. The coach replaced George Lwandamina, who had been in charge of the Chipolopolo since June 2015.
The Chipolopolo hopes to qualify for its first World Cup and the players and officials are not keeping their ambition secret. They are ready to crush every opposition on their way to achieve the feat.
Zambia is in Group B with Nigeria, Algeria and Cameroon. As Zambia parades new coach, so also is the Nigerian Super Eagles, who have signed on German coach, Gernot Rohr, who is playing his second competitive match on an away soil.
Rohr made his debut with a 1-0 victory against Tanzania in the better forgotten Nations Cup qualifier in Uyo, Akwa Ibom last month.
The match against Zambia is more important to Rohr and he is ready to go to Ndola with his best resources to get the required result.
“Everybody is aspiring to qualify for the World Cup. The Zambians are no exception. We need to guard our loins and prepare well for the match. We need our best players around to beat the Zambians in front of their fans,” former international, Friday Ekpo told Rohr.
