Qualification from the CAF region for the 2014 World Cup is set to be its most dramatic for years following the announcement that the five places will be decided in two-legged ‘finals.’ Only one of CAFs fifty-three affiliated national associations, Mauritania, has failed to enter the competition, qualifying for which begins in November this year when the lowest-ranked twenty-four teams take part in twelve, two-legged knockout ties. The winners of these matches and the region’s top twenty-eight teams (which currently includes Chipolopolo in 16th place, 89th in the world overall) will then be drawn into ten groups of four, the top team in each contesting the final round of games for a prized place in Brazil. The six, second round match days have been scheduled for:
1st – 5th June 2012
8th – 12th June 2012
22nd – 26th March 2013
7th - 11th June 2013
14th - 18th June 2013
6th – 10th September 2013
The five final stage ties will take place between 11th - 15th October 2013 and 15th – 19th November 2013.
All of this means that Chipolopolo face a potential eight matches if they are to reach the 2014 World Cup, the lowest number since qualification for the 1998 tournament. This is a sensible decision by CAF given that there will be African Nations Cups in successive years (2012 and 13) as that event moves to an odd-numbered year.
Dario Bonetti’s reign so far has created much optimism that Chipolopolo can qualify for their first World Cup Finals at the twelfth attempt. However, the fact remains that there are only five places available to African countries and that Zambia is currently placed 16th in the region. Therefore, we need to use the next two African Nations Cup tournaments (depending on qualification, of course) to improve our ranking within CAF and build a mentality and belief amongst the players that they can make it to world football’s biggest stage, Brazil 2014. In theory, Chipolopolo did actually finish in Africa’s top five at the 2010 Nations Cup, being the only side to lose on penalties (to Nigeria) at the quarter-final stage. Should we qualify for the 2012 edition, then I think that the aim should be to go one better and make the semi-finals at least and perhaps the final in 2013. Aside from World Cup qualification, there remains the fact that Zambia has never been champions of Africa. Could we possibly go to Brazil as Africa's best team?!
