BATTLE OF UYO: Zambia shall be caged

THE mind game between Nigeria and Zambia will give way to the main game proper as both countries file out today in a 2018 World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

In the weeks leading up to today, there was an interchange of words on the all-important African qualifying Group B match between them with the southern Africans being the more vocal of the two sides.

The Zambians have been able to find their voice again following their shock victories over the more respected Algerian Desert Foxes. The Chipolopolo were in tatters until last month when the wins over Algeria left them as the only contenders for the group’s sole ticket to the 2018 Russia World Cup.

Now the ambitious Zambians believe they are unstoppable – not even by the Super Eagles – who have been in the driver’s seat from the inception of the qualifiers a year ago. Recall that Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1 in Ndola 12 months ago. But this they say belong in history.

Beyond rhetorics, the Zambians are formidable – a blend of the country’s U-20 team that won the 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, later quarterfinalists at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea.

But Nigeria too are not short on quality players – from the reliable Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong and the ecletic Victor Moses to the mercurial Alex Iwobi.

With these players and others like Odion Ighalo, Moses Simon, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, John Mikel Obi and Kelechi Iheanacho in their elements, Zambia’s ambition could become overambition, while they are being reminded that having been left loose for too long, it’s time they are caged.