By JACOB AJOM
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be filing out against the Zambian national team, another Afcon 2012-bound team, after the goaless draw with Botswana in Benin last Saturday.

It will be Stephen Keshi’s second match in charge and from what he has been saying, Nigerians expect to see a better organised Super Eagles in Kaduna today.

Already, Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo who received a lot of accolades from his new boss has, on behalf of his colleagues promised to give Nigerians and Kaduna football fans in particular , a befitting match against the Chipolopolos whose last meeting with the Eagles was in the quarter final of Angola 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

Hot Contest... Zambia’s Emmanuel Mbola, (left) battles it out with Yusuf Mohammed during the quarter-finals of the 2010 Nation Cup in Angola. Zambia is going to the 2012, but Nigeria is not, but both teams will slug it out in a friendly this evening

That match ended in Nigeria’s favour after a penalty shootout which saw Vincent Enyeama save one penalty and scored one himself.

If anything it is the experience gathered by the likes of Yobo, Enyeama, Chinedu Ogbuke, Taye Taiwo and a handful of others who played against the Zambians in Angola. Incidentally, assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi was on the technical bench of the Eagles in Angola. He will be of tremendous assistance to the bench today.

French-born Zambian coach, Herve Renard has said he was excited about the clash. He is yet to forget the last meeting with Nigeria at the Nations Cup.

“Nigeria was the last team I faced with the Chipolopolo, and it is the first team I am facing on my return. That is why this game is very important for me,” Renard who was relieved of his post after the Nations Cup only to be reappointed by the current Zambian FA board told the Zambia Daily Mail.

Although he will be without injured striker Jacob Mulenga, as well as suspended defender Emmanuel Mbola the coach can depend on the likes of Swiss based striker Emmanuel Mayuka. Israeli based midfielder William Njobvu and James Chamanga who is based in China.

Stoppila Sunzu was drafted into the squad after the TP Mazembe star was ruled out of the game on account of injury.

And Renard said the Nigeria friendly is important to assess the players’ fitness as they prepare for the continental competition.