By ELIAS CHIPEPO –
THE Zambia Under-23 soccer team today face a tough test against Nigeria needing a victory to qualify for the Congo Brazzaville 2015 All-Africa Games (AAG) finals slated for September.
Having drawn 0-0 in the first leg in Abuja, Zambia needs a victory to clinch a place at the finals in what promises to be an exciting winner-takes-all match at the Heroes National Stadium.
Fans will equally be hoping for a good performance from the men’s team following the elimination of the women soccer team who lost 6-5 on aggregate to Tanzania on Friday.
Both the Chipolopolo Soccer Fans Association (CSFA) chairperson Yotam Mwanza and Zambia Sports Fans Association (ZASPOFA) strongman Peter Makembo have called on the Under-23 to restore Zambia’s battered pride following eliminations from various continental competitions.

. Simukonda

Coach Fighton Simukonda has boasted his squad with Mukuka Mulenga, the Bloemfontein Celtic midfield genius who missed the first leg, but will have to once again do without the Israel duo of striker Evans Kangwa and Emmanuel Mbola.
Simukonda has, however, put faith in the same squad that got him a barren draw saying he has players capable of winning him the match to get the much needed qualification.
“We are ready for Nigeria and we will beat them at all costs to qualifier for the All Africa Games, it won’t be easy but we can do it. Yes will miss the services of Mbola and Kangwa as a team but will manage without them because we did it in Nigeria without them,” said a confident Simukonda.
His opposite number Samson Siasia is buoyant that Nigeria will beat their hosts and qualify for the quadrennial sports showpiece.
Siasia is drawing his confidence from the fact that Zambia were able to hold Nigeria in Abuja and that his side was capable of winning away from home.
“Though the battle of Lusaka will be a herculean task, we’re condemned to win so as to book our ticket to the men’s football tournament of the All Africa Games. If Zambia could come to Abuja to get a draw we’ve no option but to go out there and earn a win,” Siasia told SuperSport.
To get the needed win, Simukonda will be expecting good goalkeeping from captain Toaster Nsabata, who should be assisted in defence by Boyd Mkandawire, Chishimba Changala, Salulani Phiri, Billy Mutale with Kayawe Kapota and Benedict Chepeshi available for selection.
In the midfield, Simukonda might want to use the experience of Mulenga, Larry Bwalya, Julius Situmbeko and Bruce Musakanya, who missed the first leg through injury, to get those balls upfront to the strikers.
Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba and Moses Phiri are likely to start though Patrick Ngoma and Friday Samu are the other strikers available for selection should goals not come by.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria team, known as Dream Team VI, have been fortified with several new players including three from the U20 team who won the African Youth Championship in Senegal last month.
Enyimba midfielder Kingsley Sokari told AfricanFootball.com Nigeria will qualify for the AAG.
“It won’t be an easy game but I believe we will qualify,” said Sokari, who has been capped at full international level by Nigeria.