Former Nigeria defender Nduka Ugbade: It will be hard for the Zambians in the Africa Cup of Nations final

Former Nigeria defender Nduka Ugbade is not convinced that Zambia will be able to overhaul Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

Ugbade, who was part of the Nigeria squad of 1994 that defeated the Zambian team led by Kalusha Bwalya, believes the Elephants will be too strong for the Chipolopolo in Libreville.

“One thing I have noticed in the two matches in which I watched the Zambians is that they dawdle on the ball too much and that will cost them against a side like Cote d’Ivoire, which possesses the ball like no other team on the continent,” Ugbade told Goal.com.

“The Zambians will always be strong as they were in 1994, because they are from a higher altitude but the Elephants possess that rare combination of finesse and experience.

“Even though the Zambians have been together a long time – maybe three to four years, the Elephants also have been together a long time and have that experience that is needed for the big occasion.”

Ugbade said that if he were the Zambian coach, he would tell his team not to be complacent.

“Though I think it will be tough to beat the Ivorians because if you are talking about experience they have it in abundance, if it is individualism, they possess a greater class of players and if it is group dynamics, they are strong.

“But in football, 90 minutes is the ultimate judge and if the Zambians can play like they did against Ghana – defending very deep, they might just sneak a goal and that will be it.”

Ugbade concluded by saying he expects the golden generation from Cote d’Ivoire to have more in their locker than the Zambians.

“If I have to predict, I will say that the match will end 2-0 in favour of Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.