Zambia hot favourites as they host Harambee Stars

Harambee Stars take on Zambia in a dead rubber Group E game of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Ndola on Sunday.

With both teams already eliminated, they have only pride to play for. On paper, the hosts are favourites to win it.

Apart from Fifa ranking where Harambee Stars have a slight advantage, the Chipolopolo stand shoulders high above the Stars if records from their past meetings are anything to go by.

The Chipolopolo are ranked 91st globally while the Stars are three spots above them.

The two sides have met 34 times with Kenya winning just eight, drawing five and losing a staggering 21.

The heaviest defeat ever inflicted on Kenya by the Chipolopolo was on November 13, 1978 in a Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup held in Malawi, where Stars fell 9-0, while in June 29, 1980, Stars also lost 5-0 away in an international friendly.

With both sides virtually out of the running for a place in the Cup of Nations finals in Gabon next year, Sunday’s meeting presents a chance for each side to end their uninspired qualifying campaign on a high.

Stars captain Victor Wanyama told Sunday Nation Sport that they are ready to play for the Kenyan flag.

“Whether we are out of contention or not, this is a serious match and a chance for us to represent the country. We are full of enthusiasm, eager to improve and are looking forward to the game. We are focused and ready to give our best on the pitch,” the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder said.

And for Zambia, the 2012 African champions, the disappointing campaign they have had adds insult to injury.

Since they defied The Elephants of Ivory Coast on post-match penalties to claim the coveted African gong four years ago, they have regressed at an alarming pace.

When the draws for the qualifiers were done some two years ago, the Chipolopolo alongside Congo’s Red Devils were considered the favourites to clinch the Group E ticket but have shockingly been blown away by winnows Guinea Bissau who have run away with the ticket on 10 points.

Zambia coach George Lwandamina is however expected to throw caution to the wind and field skipper Rainford Kalaba, defenders Stopilla Sunzu, Emmanuel Mbola and midfielder Nathan Sinkala despite early injury concerns.

ZESCO TRIO TO START

Team manager Stanley Kaseko said the players were all responding well to training and the technical bench was happy that all the professionals had joined camp. “We now have a full squad. All the professionals arrived yesterday and have reported for training today,” Kaseko told Zambiadailynation.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Zambia-based trio of David ‘Calabar’ Owino, Anthony ‘Teddy’ Akumu and Jesse Were are expected to help pass vital tips to Stars technical bench on their opponents.

The trio turn out for Zesco United and have been instrumental for their club and Okumbi will most likely use them as his trump cards in this clash.

“It’s always important when you have players who know and understand the opponent. This is a different game from the first leg (a 2-1 defeat in Nairobi) and of course we want to win. It will be tough but with our recent improvement we can get a win,” Okumbi said.

Were, who led the line against Uganda Cranes in the Tuesday friendly, is expected to retain his spot with Sweden-based Michael Olunga partnering him in a 4-4-2 formation.