Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene has warned rivals that the Chipolopolo should not be underrated as the teams in Group B get ready for battle in the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Zambia will tackle Algeria, Nigeria and Cameroon in the World Cup qualifiers with the Super Eagles taking on the East Africans  on October 9 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

 Mweene, who spoke with the Zambia Times, said being rated as underdogs in Group B will motivate Chipolopolo rather than make them feel inferior to the other teams.

All other teams in the group except Zambia have been to the World Cup with all three countries featuring at the Brazil 2014 finals.

The Mamelodi Sundowns keeper said, “We are in a tricky group but Zambia performs well when a lot of people have written them off. Even the teams we will be playing against like Nigeria and Algeria know that it won’t be easy to beat Zambia.

“We have accepted that tag of being underdogs. Being considered underdogs we would like to prove many people wrong. Knowing the way Zambia play, we will be equal to the task. Despite being underdogs it won’t be easy to beat Zambia.”

Zambia reached the final stage of the Russia 2018 qualifiers after eliminating Sudan last year.

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr is expected to field largely the team that defeated Tanzania 1-0 in Uyo last month in the October 9, 2018 World Cup opener.

Meanwhile, in Umuahia, Abia Warriors grabbed a 3-1 win over champions, Enyimba in the Abia derby in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier League game played on Wednesday.

Olaha opened the scoring for the Warriors in the 32nd minute. Enyimba pulled a goal back through Alloy Brown in the 74th minute after the hosts had gone up 2-0. The Warriors then won a penalty was converted by Shedrack Asiegbu in the 80th minute.

The result sealed any hope of Enyimba winning the league this season while giving a survival breakthrough to the Warriors.

In another rescheduled match played in Kano, hosts Kano Pillars defeated El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0. Rabiu Ali’s penalty shot in the 15th minute made the difference.

Chinedu Efugh and Chidiebere Ajoku scored for Heartland in a 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.