STOPIRA SUNZU
The story of Zambia’s AFCON 2012 success is incomplete without a mention of Sunzu’s influential contribution. He is the giant in the heart of Chipolopolo’s defence and looks very dangerous in set pieces. One of the few Zambians who have tried their luck on the European scene, Wedson Nyirenda will be looking up to Sunzu to neutralise the lethal effect of Nigeria’s marksmen.
ALEX IWOBI
Iwobi is a teenager but a marksman in London Gunners’ club, Arsenal, a fact that makes a loud statement: Underrate him at your own peril. At 19, Iwobi looks too quick for the opponent, and is fast in thinking and execution. He has yet to score for the Eagles but he keeps on talking on the love Nigerians shower on him when on international duty. He is not yet a 90 minute performer but he is certain to give the Zambians something to worry about.
Mercurial Rainford Kalaba is Chipolopolo’s captain. He handles the responsibility with class, dedication and consistency. A veteran of sort, Kalaba has the ingenuity of tricking opponents into committing fowls in dangerous positions. Smartly, he dusts himself off dirty tackles and aims the ball from the spot with the intention of harming opposing goalkeepers.
MIKEL OBI
He is very much a changed person as a captain of the team, speaking proudly of the team and in certain situation, dousing camp tension by neutralising hard stories emanating from the team, especially in terms of finances. It is still fresh in Nigerians memory, deeds attributed to him at the Rio Olympics. Otherwise, his selection would have been a talking point having played no game for Chelsea this season. He has a point to prove that he he is still there even in spite of lack of match fitness.
kELECHI IHEANACHO
The young Manchester City forward carries a Nigerian weight on his young shoulder especially after netting a wonderful match winner against Tanzania in Nigeria’s last international match. His growing profile marks him as a target of opposing defences but the player is clever either at adding simple touch inside box 18 or firing from outside of it.
KENNEDY MWEENE
Not in any way top class, but Mweene’s winning mentality when in Zambia’s goal is unquestionable.
He pumps up his chest as if to remind opponents he is Zambia’s number one and has harsh words for slumbering defenders. One of Mweene’s key attributes is the ability to launch attacks from his goal post. In fact, he remains one of goalkeepers who have scored against Nigeria when he cooly slotted in a penalty kick beyond retired Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama in a controversial AFCON 2013 Group game in South Africa.
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