Zambianfootball.net

The team below was beaten 3-0 by Bafana Bafana in 1997 at FNB Stadium, South Africa and this marked Zambia’s downfall as a soccer giant on the continent.

Zambianfootball.net would like to know how much you know about this team; What are their names? Who was their coach then? And Where are they now?

Test your knowledge about the Zambian legends…

Former Zambia national team Under-23 striker Given Singuluma has been shown the door with five other players at newly promoted South African Premier Soccer League side Bay United.

Singuluma a key member in the Peter Kaumba under-23 side that failed to qualify for next month’s Beijing 2008 Olympics joined the then Mvela Golden league in 2006.

Bay United is busy reinforcing it’s squad after gaining promotion via the play offs. Former international striker Linos Chalwe is also on their books and his 8 goals last season propelled them to the playoffs.

Chalwe who had an awful display in the playoffs final aganst FC AK has been retained.

Singuluma was part of the initial list released by FAZ for the ongoing Cosafa Senior Challenge but Chipolopolo Boys trainer Herve Renard decided to exclude him from the final list as he wanted to give chance to other players he has not seen in action.

The former National Assembly striker’s last game for Zambia was against Libya in June this year but was stretched off at halftime.

Bay United are believed to have signed international defender Billy Mwanza who was recently released by another PSL side Golden Arrows.

So far, it’s only Bay United in the PSL (maybe Collins Mbesuma if he will sign for Sundowns) which has a Zambian striker on their books and with three Zambian hitmen winning the coveted Lesley Mathanyela PSL top scorer award in the last four seasons, most PSL  fans are waiting if the clubs will make a last minute signing from the copper mining country for the next Collins Mbesuma, Christopher Katongo or James Chamanga.

South Africa 1-0 Zambia

Zambia national team’s scoring woes continued as the Chipolopolo Boys went 1-0 down to South Africa who featured a developmental side in this year’s Cosafa Senior Challenge.

Zambia has only scored one goal (Chris Katongo spot kick against Swaziland) from open play in the last 450 minutes.

Herve Renard started with three strkers; Francis Kombe, Rodger Kola and Emmanuel Mayuka-the trio have scored 27 goals this season between them.

Zambia were shocked when South Africa took the lead courtesy of an early and cleverly taken free kick by Lefa Tsutsulupa of Moraka Swallows in the 14th minute which stunned Kennedy Mweene and caught him off gurad as he was left in despair.

It was a Ronaldinho replica free kick similar to the one he took against England at the  2002 World Cup(and from a similar distance).

 South Africa celebrating their goal against Zambia.

“It was no accident,” enthused Tsutsulupa afterwards. “Kennedy is a great goalkeeper. But I know him from PSL games and he has this habit of wandering off his goalline. So I planned the whole operation and it came off beautifully.”

Zambia led by Banda ‘Thierry’ Henry on the left wing piled pressure but to no avail. And Power Dynamos defender Francis Kasonde should have done better from point blank position when he failed to connect from a Kombe square pass.

Renard shuffled the team; introducing Young Arrows wingers duo of Lyianga Chiwanki and Judge M’Kandawire for  Billy Mwanza and Clive Hachilensa respectively.

Their introduction added purpose and urgency to the attack but failed to unlock the disciplined second string South African team which sat back and tried to catch Zambia on the break.

Captain of the day, Elijah Tana was stretched off and replaced by under-20 striker Morgan Kaoma.

Zambia’s best effort came from Supersport United midfielder Noah Chivuta whose well taken free kick was acrobatically tipped over the bar by the South African shot stopper.

In a post match interview Renard said,” The problem is the scoring, we played well but again it’s the scoring.”

“I think we were unlucky,” added the Frenchaman

Zambia will face Madagascar in the third and fourth playoff after losing 2-1 to Mozambique in the other semi final.

 “But one bad mistake and finishing that made me want to cry undid all our enterprising play and ball possession. Still I am happy in that the game was a good build-up for more important challenges in the forthcoming World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifiers.”

Line up: Kennedy Mweene; Clive Hachilensa(Judge M’kandawire), Billy Mwanza (Lyianga Chiwanki) Elijah Tana (Morgan Kaoma), Noah Chivuta;  Francis Kombe, Francis Kasonde, Whiteson Simwanza, Henry Banda,    Emmanuel Mayuka, Rodger Kola

This is how Zambia started

……………………..Mweene….

Hachilensa……Tana……Billy.M….N.Chivuta

F.Kombe…..W.Simwanza….F.Kasonde….Banda.T.H

……………….Kola…..Mayuka….

………….And this is how they ended

…………………..Mweene….

……..W.Simwanza…………..F.Kasonde…..

Judge.M…….Banda.T.H…Chiwanki…..M.Kaoma

…F.Kombe……….Kola………..Mayuka

 Subs: Kalililo Kakonje, Hichani Himonde,Felix Sunzu, William Chinyama, Morgan Kaoma, Lyianga Chiwanki,Judge M’kandawire,Kebby Hachipuka

 

Who do you blame for Zambia’s scoring woes; Herve Renard or the players,after the Chipolopolo Boys have gone five games without scoring from open play? Have Your Say