Zambia coach defends selections ahead Eagles’ clash

ZAMBIA stand-in coach, Wedson Nyirenda, knows the consequences of losing to Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Sunday in an Africa Group 2 of Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Ndola and is ready to take the rap.

Nyirenda has invited some of  Zambia’s controversial figures like  Chisamba Lungu for the game.

Lungu had previously announced retirement from the national team but upon his announcement, Nyirenda extended invitation to the Russia-based midfielder.

“Lungu and the others in camp, I reckon, have the necessary qualities that can help us beat Nigeria on Sunday”, Nyirenda told The Post on Thursday.

‘They have to prove themselves otherwise, there will be questions after questions but we have to answer as a team. I have always said even if we are building the team, we have to qualify to the World Cup for the first time.’’

Lungu, the captain of FC Ural,  quit Chipolopolo last January because he felt he was being under-rated after being left on the team’s substitutes’ bench.

He is regarded as Nyirenda’s boy since their days at the Zambia U-17 team.

‘It is good to have friendly relations with your players but at the end, it is the result that matters. I am positive of the team we have.’’