Zambianfootball.net

Lusaka-born Himonde Hichani is a tall and agile centre-back. An intelligent defender, Hichani combines an uncompromising physical approach with the ability to pass the ball out from the back.

Himonde arrived at Lusaka Dynamos in 2006 with great promise and potential.

 Highly-regarded at his former youth teams where he won two Bronze medals at the Gothia and a Gold medal at Dona cups in Sweden with Chiparamba and another Gothia cup medal with Edusport became a regular in the Dynamos defence in the 2006 season just aged 18 years.

The 20 year old who is dominant in the air and strong on the tackle has been nicknamed ‘HH’ after a Zambian Politian, Hakainde Hichilema.

Himonde’s impressive defensive displays for Dynamos caught the eye of the national team coach Patrick Phiri. Phiri was so impressed with young defender that he handed him an earlier than expected senior international debut against Burundi in the 2005 CECAFA Challenge Cup tournament.

At the tournament ‘HH’ looked at ease alongside Kennedy Nkhetani as they helped Zambia win the tournament.

Himonde’s development also caught the eye of the Under-20 coach George ’Chicken’ Lwandamina who drafted him into his African Youth Cup bound Squad. ‘HH’ displaced Green Buffaloes’ Dennis Banda to partner Nyambe Mulenga in the first match against Nigeria at the championship but unfortunately,he gave a shake performances in Zambia s 4-2 loss.

He was ousted from starting XI and watched the rest of the matches from the bench as the junior Chipolopolo finished fourth subsequently qualifying for 2007 FIFA World Youth Cup.

 The Dynamos defender eventually lost his under-20 place and he was not picked in the final under-20 squad travelling for the World Youth Cup. His omission from the squad was regrettable as Lwandamina only had two centre backs in Banda and Nyambe.

The tall defender’s fine form for Dynamos in the 2007 KCM/FAZ Premier League season alerted Under-23 coach Peter Kaumba and ‘HH’ was slotted in the under-23 defence alongside Clive Sichiondwe and Davies Nkausu as though he has been playing for years. He has so far made 16 appearances and was part the team that came fourth at the All Africa games in July 2007.

The young defender is also a potent threat from set pieces and he has powerful long range strike.

Himonde also had a two weeks stint with South African glamour side Kaizer Chiefs but he failed to clinch a deal with the Amakhosi.

Himonde is considered as one of the finest young defenders in Zambia but time will tell if he will make the transformation from a budding talent to an accomplished defender.

The defender made his AFCON debut when came on Kennedy Nkhetani’s replacement in the 5-1 loss to Cameroon. Still only 20, he got the valuable experience and exposure for the future, bring on 2010 qualifiers.

In the 2008 season, the Lusaka Dynamos skipper is leading by example. He is the leading scorer for his club with three goals.

Zambian legend Kalusha Bwalya says that any one of six teams can lift the 2008 Nations Cup.

The 1988 African Footballer of the Year believes that Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Mali and Senegal are the leading contenders.

But he also feels that any team is capable of causing an upset at the continental showpiece.

“African football is not predictable any more,” he told BBC Sport.

“African players have raised the bar wherever they play.

“They have made a mark at teams like Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid and all the important teams in the world.

“If all these players come to Ghana, I’m sure we’ll be sitting on the edge of our seats.”

Respect for Ghana

Bwalya feels that hosts Ghana have a strong chance of winning their fifth title, but that they could be under pressure to impress local fans.

“They have home advantage but that can also bring its own pressures,” he said.

“As you move forward the expectations also get high.

“They will be worthy contenders for the crown but it’s a thin line to ride.”

Bwalya is optimistic that Zambia can progress from a group that includes Cameroon, Egypt and Sudan.

“Zambia have always played well against the big teams. The problem we have is the consistency,” he said.

“We have to take maximum points against Sudan and a point or better from Egypt and Cameroon for us to qualify.

“It’s a difficult group, but most of the players Zambia are taking were at the last Nations Cup finals.”

Source : BBC