Lucas Alcaraz, coach of Desert Foxes of Algeria, has written off Zambia’s quest to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup ahead of the Super Eagles.
Zambia stunned Algeria in Constantine on Tuesday night 1-0 to place second behind Nigeria. With the victory, Zambian’s are beginning to dream of upstaging the Super Eagles to the ticket despite still having a game in uyo on October 7, 2017.
After losing to Zambia 0-1 in Constantine on Tuesday night, Algeria coach Lucas Alcaraz dismissed the chances of the Chipolopolos beating the Super Eagles to clinch the World Cup ticket.
The Spanish-born coach submitted that Nigeria still has the momentum after being forced to a 1-1 draw in Yaounde, by the Indomitable Lions.
The Super Eagles remain unbeaten in the World Cup qualification series, they will entertain Zambia next month in Uyo and they are expected to clinch the ticket with either a win or draw. Nigeria top the group with 10 points, Zambia has seven, with Cameroon and Algeria already ruled out of reckoning.
“Zambia has a balanced squad with a blend of youngsters but I don’t think they can make it to the World Cup in Russia. I know it was an interesting result in Cameroon, which gives hope to other teams, but still the momentum is with Nigeria.
“Zambian coach [Wedson Nyirenda] has a good team but I think he should concentrate on building a strong team with the focus on qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. I believe the Qatar target is attainable if they can maintain the same performance,” Alcaraz said.
