The Super Eagles indeed have on several occasions, but this time and in Europe will Nigeria stand in Zambia’s way again?
The Gabon Air disaster remains ZAMBIA’S most heartbreaking catastrophes of all time but after that fateful year, Zambia was quick to reorganize.
And the year that followed, the team rose from the dust of their ruins and shocked the world when they stormed the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Unfortunately, Zambia faced NIGERIA and lost in a final that was swallowed in heart numbing emotions.
Patson Daka’s Redbull Salzburg
Zambia went into a state of hibernation but 2010 came with a flame of hope for the Chipolopolo, the young Zambian team was the revelation of the tournament on Angola and after making it to the knockout, there came in the way NIGERIA.
Zambia face NIGERIA in the quarter-final and got knocked out through shootout.
The Chipolopolo picked from where they had stopped in Angola and in the next Africa cup, Zambia went through to win it but it was perhaps because NIGERIA: ZAMBIA’S eternal pain was not there in Gabon
The Super Eagles had not qualified for the 2012 edition and when the cat was away, the mouse had it all.
It is not surprising that when NIGERIA returned to the next Afcon in 2013, they were placed in the same group with Zambia and some things don’t change. Honeymoon for Zambia was cut short.
Zambia got knocked out in the first round and handed over the trophy to Nigeria who were crowned Champions.
Chipping into some eye-popping perspective, there was never a time when Zambia was a step closer to qualifying for the World Cup than the last edition of 2018.
Zambia had beaten Algeria home and away and was just a win away from making their maiden world cup qualifier but unfortunately, Zambia had Nigeria in the same group. Nigeria beat Zambia at home in Ndola and in the make or break tie in Ayo. Nigeria beat Zambia and booked their ticket to Russia.
Now Nigeria stands in Zambia’s way again in another parallel encounter. Patson Daka’s Redbull Salzburg has been drawn against Samuel Chukwueze’s Villarreal in the EUROPA knock out stages.
It’s Africa’s most anticipated clash as the two of the continent’s most promising talent will come head-on representing the continent’s most ferocious eternal rivalry. Zambia vs Nigeria.
Red bull Salzburg travels to Spain on January 18 in the first leg of the EUROPA crunch encounter
