Zambia FA Veep: We Will Still Qualify With Or Without Fifa Points

Zambia FA Vice President Boniface Mwamelo insists the Chipolopolo will still qualify for the 2014 World Cup even if they fail in their protest against Sudan. The Zambians are hoping the Disciplinary Committee of Fifa rules in their favour after lodging a protest against Sudan for fielding an unqualified player in their shocking 2-0 loss in their opening fixture. If successful, the African champions will be declared winners of the game played in Khartoum and thus will be awarded three points which will place them on top of Group D � three points ahead of Ghana with four matches to go. The massive points boost, if Fifa rule in their favour will put Zambia in a strong position to claim the group�s sole ticket to progress into the final round of qualification but Mwamelo says they can do without the points for it is their time to taste the World showpiece. �I wouldn�t want to pre-empt the decision from Fifa but we are hoping to win the protest against Sudan,� he told Kumasi-based Angel FM. �Rules are rules and they need to be respected but if they don�t give us we will still go to the World Cup. �We are definitely going to the World Cup because it is our time and no one will stop us.� Sudan have however mounted a strong defence to the protest � arguing the Zambians failed to lodge the complaint within the 72 hour period after the game as prescribed by the Fifa rules. The decision which was expected on Friday has been postponed with the World governing body demanding more information from the Zambian FA before sitting on the matter.