Zambianfootball.net

Zambia national soccer team will be leaving for Botswana tomorrow via South Africa for Friday’s CHAN qualifier encounter. Zambia coach Peter Kaumba is confident of victory despite having completely a new look team from the last the beat Swaziland 4-1 on aggregate.

In a warm up match against Green Buffaloes at Woodlands Stadium yesterday, Zambia ‘Team B’ beat the inform soldiers 2-0 courtesy of Zesco United hitman, Enoch Sakala brace.

The Chipolopolo boys’s preparation has been hit by withdraws and no-show up by experienced players. Goalkeeper Mike Poto is set to miss the trip because of administrative problems while full back William Chinyama has family matters to attend to. Influential midfielder Rainford Kalaba has refused to join.

But the 1982 African Cup of Nations second best top scorer and former Power Dynamos left winger Peter Kaumba is confident of victory.

“I am very confident, we can carry the day in Botswana,”he told Zambiafootball.com after an afternoon training at Barclays Sports Complex in Lusaka.

Kaumba who is assisted by Green Buffaloes mentor George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina tried out a number of formation with the 4 4 2 formation looking likely to be used.
If Poto’s administrative problem won’t be sorted out, Power Dynamos shot stopper Rabson Muchelenga is set to start in goal. In the absence of Hichani ‘HH’ Himoonde and Charles Siyingwa, Kaumba’s back four will be reshuffled with Young Arrows Whiteson Simwanza and Chambishi’s Sanida Zulu getting the nod over Buffaloes’ Dennis Banda.

Power Dynamos’ Francis Kasonde is certain of occupying right full back while captain Clive Sichiondwe will move to left in the absence of Chinyama. In the centre of the park William Njobvu and Stophira Sunzu will reunion their under-20 partnership that took young lads to the second at the World Youth Cup. But Kabwe’s Siloni Jere and Nkana’s Moses Kapayi are also pushing for a start.

On the flanks, Swaziland two goal hero Kennedy Mudenda is poised to start on the left flank with Young Arrows Judge M’kandawire on the right. M’kandawire’s teammate Lyainga Chiwanki and Zanaco’s exciting playmaker Chisamba Lungu are other options.
Upfront, Roger Kola is expected to break the ‘Team Ya Ziko’ strike partnership of Enoch Sakala and leftfooted Lottie Phiri. Kola and Sakala will get the nod but the dinumitive Phiri looked lively at the training session.

Kaumba also said that he has faith is his new look squad,” We have faith in these boys. It was decided that we give chance to others, those who are not here are equally good.”

Team
Goalkeeper; Rabson Muchelenga, Joel Kambili

Defender:Clive Sichiondwe, Francis Kasonde, Whiteson Simwanza, Sanida Zulu, Brosman Chama

Midfielders; Stophira Sunzu, Siloni Jere, William Njobvu, Moses Kapayi, Chisamba Lungu, Lyainga Chiwanki, Judge M’kandawire, Kennedy Mudenda, Timothy Mbewe

Strikers; Rogers Kola, Enoch Sakala, Lottie Phiri.

by: Travis Mills

LATEST NEWS: FAZ have shortlisted three candidates for the Chipolopolo job, FAZ spokesperson Emmanuel Munaile said earlier today. Although he declined to mention names because the canditates are contracted, he conceded that they are from France, Germany and the Netherlands.

He also hinted that one of the three is currently coaching in Africa.

Turkey

As the Superlig season winds down, struggling striker Collins Mbesuma continues to be in limbo at Bursaspor. A knee injury kept him out for most of the second half of the season, however upon his return it appears he has fallen out of favour with the Bursa management, who underwent major changes midway through the season. Bursaspor sit in 13th position in the table, with two games remaining.

Denmark

The hot streak of striker Chris Katongo appears to have cooled off as he was kept of the score sheet in Brondby’s two games last week. The Sergent came on as a second half substitute in the midweek draw with Lyngby, but was unable to find the target with multiple chances on headers, the game finishing at 2-2. The weekend contest saw another draw, and another scoreless match for Katongo. Despite starting, Chris could not beat the goalkeeper, while sending numerous chances over the bar, the final score was 1-1.

Sweden

Isaac Chansa played well in his usual central midfield role as Helsingborgs defeated Malmo in a thilling match, 4-2. He almost found the back of the net in the 26th minute, but his well struck shot was turned away by a diving goalkeeper.

Kennedy Nkhetani, Isaac Chansa & Felix Katongo at the Afcon in Ghana

Edwin Phiri started at right back for Ljungskile, but the defensive unit was unable to hold Djurgardens in a 2-1 defeat. In the second division, Boyd Mwila was in the starting lineup for Orgryte in a 1-0 loss, unfortunately his only contribution to the match was a yellow card in the 25th minute.

France

In their attempt to stave off relegation, Strasbourg suffered another loss, 3-0 to Rennes. Jacob Mulenga got the start up front as the lone striker in the 4-5-1 formation, while on the other side, Felix Katongo did not make the substitute bench. After conceding three goals in the first half, Mulenga came out firing the second half, registering four shot attempts. His best chance was a 58th minute header to the top right corner, but was unlucky to have it plucked out of the air, on his only shot on target. Two other shots from the box sailed high as Strasbourg were unable to gain points yet again, and sit 3 points from relegation safety with two games left in Ligue 1.

Germany

A 2-1 defeat of Kickers Offenbach sees them a mere 2 points from safety in the relegation battle in the 2. Bundesliga. Moses Sichone overcame his fever of the previous week to anchor the defense in his normal central role, though he was unable to prevent two second half goals.

Hungary

Second division League leaders Kecskeméti TE were victorious 3-0, Mischek Lungu has led his team to top spot in the East division and a four point lead in the fight for promotion.

Finland

The Veikkausliiga season opened this weekend with RoPS giving up three goals in the last 6 minutes to lose 3-1. Chileshe Chibwe opened the scoring in the 36th minute, he was in the starting lineup along with fellow countrymen Nchimunya Mweetwa (seen below celebrating the opening goal).

South Africa

Billy Mwanza- At last the hard tackler made his first start of the second half of the PSL season at the expense of countryman Joseph Musonda. Mwanza’s Golden Arrows drew 0-0 against Davies Mwape’s Jomo Cosmos. Mwape did not feature.As Mwanza was given a yellow card in the second half.

Chintu Kampamba-Chipolopolo goalkeepers came head on head when Chintu’s Free State Stars faced Amazulu. First Choice goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene showed why he is the number 1 after keeping a clean sheet while understudy Kalililo Kakonje conceded two goals for Amazulu and he was booked.

Noah Chuvuta- The former under-23 skipper and capped twice at international level missed BidVest Wits 1-0 loss to Black Leopards. Chivuta is on a three match ban after he was send off in the last match.

James Chamanga- The Zambian hitman’s Moraka Swallows lost 1-0 to inform Platinum Stars who beat Egyptian Giants 2-1 last week. Songwe Chalwe is still missing from the starting line up fot Swallows.

In meantime, Free State Stars’ striker Diyo Sibisi firmly believes that he can still walk away with the Top Goal Scorer award after smashing in a brace over the past weekend against AmaZulu.

Sibisi, who led the scoring charts early in the season, now has 11 goals, just three shy of leader James Chamanga of Moroka Swallows.

Interestingly, Sibisi’s Stars are up against Swallows on Wednesday night.

Giving the slippery poacher hope of overtaking Chamanga is that he is feeling no pressure at all since he is chasing and not leading.

“My chances of overtaking Chamanga are very healthy because I am feeling no pressure at all. The one at the top is the one getting worried because when he looks over his shoulder he can see I am catching up to him. I am sure Chamanga is feeling a bit of pressure right now, if he still thinks he will win the award.

“But, even if I don’t win the award, I will be reasonably happy with 15 goals. Any striker who scores that many goals in our league should be satisfied,” says Sibisi.

In the last four seasons only Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma has won the top scorer award with more than 20 league strikes after banging in 25 goals while in the other three seasons 15 goals were enough to win the award.

Last season Chris Katongo won the accolade with 15 goals in half a season, while in the previous season 14 goals was enough for Mame Niang to lift the award.

In 2003-2004 season, Jackie Ledwaba scored 14 goals and won the award despite his club Zulu Royals getting relegated that season.