Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire final difficult to predict – Chukwu
By JOE APU
Sunday, February 12, 2012
For the first time in 18 years, Zambia will today step out to show the world that determination other than skills will make the difference in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Orange Nations Cup final against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in what former Nigeria’s Green Eagles’ captain, Christian Chukwu, described as too close to call.
For the man who made history as coach and player to win the trophy in 1980 and 1994, Chukwu says the standard of football today cannot guarantee any singular team to boast of dominance over the other.
Chukwu, who incidentally was in the dugout with Coach Clemens Westerhof when Nigeria’s Super Eagles defeated the Zambians 2-1 at the final that saw uncapped winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, causing the damage that decided the winner, notes that no team can be underrated anymore.
“The final match between Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire will be a good one no doubt, but the truth is that no team can be undermined. For the Zambians, I recall that they came with an entirely new team after they lost their first team to air crash in 1993 ahead of the Nations Cup in Tunisia’94, and they made life difficult for us at the final then,” Chukwu recalled.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s President, Michael Sata, believes that Cote d’Ivoire’s pedigree, like that of Ghana, will not stop his nation from lifting the trophy.
“Their rich history did not cow you into submission, instead it added to your resolve to write a different chapter on African football. On behalf of all Zambians, I wish to congratulate you on this breath-taking feat. You are the pride of our beloved country,” the president said after Zambia beat Ghana 1-0 in the semi-finals of the ongoing Nations Cup on Wednesday.
“I am cognisant of the fact that this is the first time in 18 years that we are reaching the final and only the third in the history of the tournament. We lost 1-2 to Nigeria in 1994 and 0-2 in the twice-played final of 1974 against Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), when Zambia competed for the first time,” he recalled.
President Sata said the quality of football the team was displaying defines the true character and spirit of the Zambian people, who always strive to be winners.
“As you go into the final, I urge you to fight for the nation in getting rid of the pains of losing your gallant colleagues, who perished off the Coast of Gabon in 1993. Continue with your hard work, dedication and determination to finish the job at hand,” the president advised the Zambian team.
