ZAMBIA have warned Bafana Bafana to brace themselves for their first defeat on home soil under coach Gordon Igesund when they meet in the Nelson Mandela Challenge at Soccer City on Wednesday.
Chipolopolo's first-choice goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene said they were honoured to have been invited to play in a match held in honour of one of the world's greatest statesmen in Madiba.
"This is a very important clash for both teams because we will be using it as part of our final preparations for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, so the players are aware the coaches are in the process of finalising the squads to represent them.
"The supporters must expect top-drawer performances. We are delighted the game falls under the Fifa calendar, which makes it possible for both teams to use their tried and tested players. We have a lot of respect for Bafana, who have been doing well in the past few matches under Igesund, but we want to end 2012 on a high note by finally taking the Nelson Mandela Challenge trophy back to Zambia."
Mweene is one of the five South Africa-based players in the Zambia team selected by coach Herve Renard.
The other four PSL players are Mweene's teammate Noah Chivuta, Collins Mbesuma from Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United defender Davies Nkausu and Joseph Musonda of Lamontville Golden Arrows.
This will be the second time the two countries meet in this friendly. Bafana won the inaugural game 2-1 in 1994.
Zambia warn that Mandela Challenge is theirs this time
ZAMBIA have warned Bafana Bafana to brace themselves for their first defeat on home soil under coach Gordon Igesund when they meet in the Nelson Mandela Challenge at Soccer City on Wednesday.
Chipolopolo's first-choice goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene said they were honoured to have been invited to play in a match held in honour of one of the world's greatest statesmen in Madiba.
"This is a very important clash for both teams because we will be using it as part of our final preparations for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, so the players are aware the coaches are in the process of finalising the squads to represent them.
"The supporters must expect top-drawer performances. We are delighted the game falls under the Fifa calendar, which makes it possible for both teams to use their tried and tested players. We have a lot of respect for Bafana, who have been doing well in the past few matches under Igesund, but we want to end 2012 on a high note by finally taking the Nelson Mandela Challenge trophy back to Zambia."
Mweene is one of the five South Africa-based players in the Zambia team selected by coach Herve Renard.
The other four PSL players are Mweene's teammate Noah Chivuta, Collins Mbesuma from Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United defender Davies Nkausu and Joseph Musonda of Lamontville Golden Arrows.
This will be the second time the two countries meet in this friendly. Bafana won the inaugural game 2-1 in 1994.
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