As the days keep ticking away before the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier between Chipolopolo and Eagles in Ndola on October 9, acting Zambian coach has admitted that the the opening match with the 2013 champions will be a daunting one.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) on Tuesday, relieved George Lwandamina of his national team duties, so he could focus on Zesco and appointed Nyirenda as acting assistant coach, but will act as coach until FAZ finalises the recruitment of a foreign coach.

Zambian National Team

In an interview from Mozambique, where he was coaching before his appointment, Nyirenda said he was happy to be back home.

“I am humbled but it is overwhelming. It has come at a time when we have crucial matches and we are in the group of death but it measures the worth,” Nyirenda said.

He said he had done enough abroad and it was time to get back home. “I am happy to come back home, I have done my part in Mozambique,” said Nyirenda.

Nyirenda is most likely to in be charge of Chipolopolo’s first World Cup qualifier match against the Eagles on October 9. Chipolopolo are in Group B of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers alongside seasoned campaigners Nigeria, Algeria and Cameroon.

And speaking on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, the new Zambian handler, said next month’s opening game with Nigeria will be a daunting one.

“It is going to be a daunting task for us because Nigeria have good players, who on their good day, can cause problems for any good team. We saw what they did at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa, where against all odds, they defeated top teams like Ivory Coast on their way to winning the tournament”, Nyirenda told Zambia Daily Mail.

Revealing his strategy to clip the wings of the Super Eagles next month, Nyirenda said there is need for all stakeholders to pull in the same direction if the Chipolopolo are to rack up an opening day win against the Nigerians.

“It must be a concerted and combined effort by all football stakeholders in the country, for us to begin this qualifying campaign with a victory. We need the win but we are playing against a good side, who still feel hurt from failing to qualify for the 2017 AFCON”, said Nyirenda.

Chipolopolo are in Group B of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers alongside seasoned campaigners Nigeria, Algeria and Cameroon..