March 1, 2008
by Kambani Lungu
In my view,the GHANA 2008 AFCON could have been a succes if only we used the right defenders.I wonder what weakneses coach Phiri was noticing in the friendlies if he could sideline a guy like Chintu and use Nkethani in defence.How I wished Chintu played alongside Tana with Billy and Musonda on the right and left franks.The other problem was the holding role in midfield.Phiri did not find the right replacement for Sinkala.Bakala was not perfect because he is a natural ball distributor.This was why Isaac Chansa failed to play his usual game, because he continued helping Bakala in that role.May be Francis Kasonde could have been tried in that role.
Nevertheless, though it was a painfull exit, we cannot continue crying over spilt milk.We must learn from our mistakes and chat the way forward.I think the team is okay we can be a force to reckon with come 2010.
As we chart the way forward,we seriouly have to improve on our defence and the midfied.Its time we retired the likes of Hachilesa,Nkethani,Tana,Bakala,Dube and Sichone from the squard and make a strong team for the future.
Tana and Sichone are among our best players at the moment and I could have loved them play at the Ghana AFCON but the fact is that is that age as caught up with them hence they cant be part of our future plans.
Bakala has been a good player to watch but I dont think the football remaining in his legs can compete with the football in the legs of Stophira Nsunzu and Willian Ndlovu for a place in the squard.Dube is one player who has nothing to offer.I wonder how he sneaked into the Chipolopolo squard living behind the likes of Given Singuluma,Enock Sakala and many other better players. 
I have deliberately left out Andrew Sinkala because I feel we still require his leadership in midfield up to 2010.Mbesuma should be given a second chance but he should be made to fight for his place in the squard.I have maintaned faith in Billy ,he is tough and determined hence his services are required.Joseph Musonda to me was the best left back in the group stage of the 2008 AFCON.He must be maintaned to guide the upcoming lads.Chintu Kampamba was a revelation in our line of defence.He has the physic and height for a good defender he must be maintaned to provide guidance to the young defenders.
As we search for replacements we should assess the under 20 (2007 World Youth Cup members) and the under 23 for possible inclusions in the squard.There is good talent in these youth teams which require futher development.There should also be room for forgotten players like Edwin Phiri,Boyd Mwila,Ncimunya Mweetwa and Steven Kunda.I don’t think its right to sideline them but they should be given chance to prove themselves.The other important thing we should consider is to encourage urban teams to extend their catch to rural areas unlike concentlating on the Copperbelt and the Midlands.
Generally the team has a bright future.The new star Felix Katongo his brother Chris,Jacob Mulenga,Isaac Chansa,James Chamanga,Kennedy Mweene and the young stars Cliford,Rainford and Himonde are capable of bringing the lost groly in Zambian football given the the required support.
Having looked at the players it can be seen that there is abundant talent in Zambia at the moment.This calls for a stable technical team.I haven’t meant that Patrick Phiri is a bad coach,he is infact the best and the most experienced after the death of Ben Bamfuchile.His pefomance at the 2008 AFCON only exposed his limits in modern football tactics.We can develop him further by deputising him to a serious expertriate coach with a good traceable record.By doing so we will progress from where we have ended and come 2010 we will onence again be an African soccer giant
Zesco to finish of Ugandans
ZAMBIAN champions, Zesco United are 90 minutes away from booking a CAF Africa Champions League first round place when they face Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) in the return leg of the two teams’ preliminary round tie at Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
Coach Wedson Nyirenda’s team lead URA 2-0 from the first leg played in Kampala a fortnight ago.
Zesco hope for another good result against URA after suffering a morale-denting 3-2 post match penalties defeat last week to Kabwe warriors in the semi-finals of the Samuel “Zoom” Ndhlovu Charity Shield.
But the Charity Shield defeat does not bother Nyirenda as he is convinced of having spent enough time to prepare for this afternoon’s showdown.
Yet, Nyirenda’s plans are shaken with injured striker Elson Mkandawire ruled out of the match.
Mkandawire, an off-season signee from Power Dynamos, also missed Zesco’s Charity Shield semifinal match against Warriors last Saturday.
Although a draw is enough to guarantee Zesco passage to the next stage, Nyirenda is determined to give the Ndola team a 100 per cent preliminary record.
However, Nyirenda still has ample firepower at his disposal with Enoch Sakala and Nicholas Zulu, who scored Zesco’s second goal against URA in Kampala fit and set to lead in attack.
Skipper Rainford Kalaba gives Nyirenda hope that a complete team to do a good job against URA is in place.
Nyirenda hopes his side will take advantage of the crisis in the URA camp that led to the sacking of head coach Frank “Video” Anyau.
Now under a caretaker coach, goalkeeper Ibrahim Mugisha, URA is counting on an upset by managing a 3-0 victory that can provide his team a next round berth.
Also missing is key striker Ismail Kigoz who is serving an indefinite suspension for insulting a club official after URA’s loss to Zesco a fortnight ago.
Winner of the two-legged tie between Zesco and URA will face Sudanese champions Al Hilal in the first round of the competition.
Al Hilal enjoys a preliminary round bye after reaching the semifinals of last year’s CAF Africa Champions League.-The Post
Buffaloes ready to complete mission
ZAMBIA’S CAF Confederations Cup envoys Green Buffaloes today look set to complete their task of making it to the next round when they face unfancied Chipukizi FC of Zanzibar in the preliminary return leg.
The soldiers from Arakan Barracks are enjoying a massive 5-0 lead from the first leg and unless a miracle happens, George Lwandamina’s charges are assured of a place in the next round.
However, Lwandamina has opted to be cautious, saying he does not want to take Chipukizi for granted as the team has introduced four new players with intent to upset the tables.
Lwandamina has maintained the same team that beat Red Arrows 1-0 in last weekend’s Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield semi-final.
He will also be delighted with the return of striker Emmanuel Mayuka to add life to the attack after the teenage player missed the Arrows match.
Apart from Mayuka, Lwandamina will deploy Reuben Tembo and Morgan Hanjema upfront to get more goals while in the middle of the park, Buffaloes will deploy inspirational Sebastian Mwansa and hardworking William Njobvu to dictate play.
And Zambia Army Commander General Isaac Chisuzi has urged Buffaloes not to be complacent when they meet Chipukizi.
Speaking when he addressed the players at Ndeke Hotel yesterday, Gen Chisuzi urged the team to take the encounter seriously, warning that Chipukizi may have worked on their weakness.
“You may not know what strategy your opponents may come up with to upset the tables. So I urge you to conclude tomorrow’s encounter with another victory,” he said.
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