Zambia Vs Egypt
Heroes Stadium
15:00hrs
Forget the 6-1 drubbing Zambia inflicted on Mali last Wednesday in the second game of the host in the group. This game will be played out between a completely different scenario and different conditions. Egypt know that anything less than a victory is disaster for them while Zambia would want to continue giving the fans the best atmosphere at Heroes Stadium. I think Bestone Chambeshi will put up a strong team but its likely that he won’t use the players on yellow cards to risk having them miss out the semi final. The Zambian players should know that there is no link between the Wednesday match and this one. I am sure the game with Egypt will be a great match but it has nothing to do with the last one as the next one is different.
That incredible game against Mali was also played in the Heroes Stadium and there is a serious danger on Zambia to think they can easily run riot against the Egyptian team who seriously need to win. Egypt allowed Guinea to come back in their last encounter , they could effectively had less pressure in this encounter but this is now a tough one and they need three points to qualify. That’s what makes this encounter interesting.
Most of the Egypt side have never played in a match this big before, this is a hero making game and the Pharoahs may just make themselves heroes. According to what I saw in the Mali game , Zambia has the necessary know-how to deal with the pressure of this magnitude.
The amazing fans of Zambia
So, taking all this into account, it is difficult to see why the Egypt team will be psychologically damaged from the Mali and Guinea draws going into the match, they know and they will treat this encounter as final.
Yes, there is possibly extra pressure on Egypt given they need the three points , they flopped yes in the two games but this one shouldn’t have room for error. Yes, the Games in some way probably need a Egypt excellence but they are aware of what this Zambian team is capable of doing. But Zambia will not find it easy either. With thoughts already drifting towards next week’s final if they succeed in the semi final. Can a young side made up of the likes of Mufulira Wanderers , Chrispin Sakulanda and former ZANACO’s Fashion Sakala really offer enough bite to beat the Egyptians and their few fans in the huge Heroes Stadium?
Egypt too have the added burden of knowing that Mali and Guinea will be playing at the same time and the winner in that encounter will have the chance to qualify should Zambia beat them. It is simply indescribable. Fans should be so excited for the game. There is nothing better than this for a footballer, and the Boys are about to do something special . Remember Zambia rather limped into that first game against Mali rather cautiously. This time around they came off thrashing Mali 6-1. One thing is for sure, it will not be 6-1 again. This is a totally different ball game and the last one is no more.
Getting into the prediction is never easy in such encounters but Egypt are able to upset the home fans and get something into this encounter. But it is just difficult to predict against this Zambian team, they are too exceptional.
My Verdict: Zambia 2-1 Egypt
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Mali Vs Guinea
Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
15:00
Another interesting encounter in the making and this one will be a dead rubber if Egypt win their game against Zambia. Egypt will qualify with a win and won’t care of what happens in Ndola. It is a situation were these two teams will be supporting Zambia but also making sure there is a winner to join the host in the semi final.
I still repeat that Mali is an exceptional team and plays the best football. Guinea will feel the pressure of this Mali team that will be hoping to give their fans an eraser of the 6-1 hauling against Zambia.
I think they can do it by sending Guinea back home.
I think Mali will beat Guinea and qualify to the semi final with a Zambian win against Egypt.
My Verdict: Mali 2-0 Guinea
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