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Chivuta’s versitility earned him a place ahead of Clifford Mulenga

 

Zambia national soccer team coach Herve Renard has retaliated that out of favour winger Clifford Mulenga is still part of his future plans.

 

Speaking to ZNBC Sports in Kitwe on Saturday, the Frenchman played down the CAF 2007 African Young Player of the year’s omission and emphasized that the door is still open for him.

 

“We have a lot of offensive players in the squad at the moment. It’s the job of the coach to choose a balanced team. Felix (Katongo) and (James) Chamanga can play on the left win…Chris, Kola, Mayuka, Jacob and Mbesuma are all offensive.

 

“I took Noah Chivuta (ahead of Clifford) because he can play both as a left back and winger but more importantly we needed to have a good balance. Clifford is still part of my plans,” Renard said.

 

With Wednesday crucial match against Togo dedicated to the late President H.E Levy P. Mwanawasa, Renard is aware of the importance of the match and is banking on former golden boy Collins Mbesuma’s scoring heroics to propel Zambia to the next round.

 

“He (Mbesuma) is a good player in the (penalty) box, very skillful player and we need him. He is more fit now because he has been training hard at his club now,” the Frenchman acknowledging the qualities of Zambia’s leading goal scorer in the last four years.

 

Veteran Elijah Tana’s experience and substantial improvement in his fitness was also singled out by the 39 year old coach.

 

“He (Tana) has good fitness now. With his experience and Chris (Katongo) on the pitch, we have two great leaders.

 

Renard also said that Swedish based midfielder Isaac Chansa who has sat out training session due to a thigh injury should resume training and join his colleagues tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

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Zamfoot has written 1909 stories on this site.

59 Comments on “Chivuta’s versitility earned him a place ahead of Clifford Mulenga”

  • Mabbwana wrote on 6 September, 2008, 23:11

    I support Renard on the issue of dropping a player for the sake of team balance. Its good that he also has alot of positives to say over Mbesuma.
  • Akapondo mu chani wrote on 7 September, 2008, 1:05

    Let us all support our national team and also have faith in our coaching staff for them to deliver much needed 3 points. All the best Zambia.
  • emmanuel chali wrote on 7 September, 2008, 5:39

    This is a gud statement from the coach.Personally,I rally behind the team.This seems to be a gud team evn if we are lucking the support of sinkala .At the back and upfront we are now ok.Go zambia go
  • Anonymous wrote on 7 September, 2008, 9:58

    Yeah chivuta is beta than cliford though sometimes cliford can be more usefull than noah.the small boy henry banda should also be droped i believe he can not manage to play any part in wednesday’s match just like mayuka & kola.it is also an embarrassment to learn that our national tv will televise a recorded game,faz where are we going honestly?
    From TAJ LO
  • Nikolai from Monze wrote on 7 September, 2008, 11:02

    I join the masses who r comending Renard over his choice, i.e. Chivuta over Clifford.The Togolese r goin 2 b very defensive, there4 we need 2 fully utilise our set pieces. Thats 1 little advice 2 the team. I kno Tana is gud ku ma free kicks, lets use him
  • Gibby wrote on 7 September, 2008, 15:05

    This reminds me of Zambia vs Ghana 1988 and kalusha and Charles musonda were in the team but the Black stars were a tough side.in the end it was Wisdom Chansa,charles and kalusha who dismantled them.It should rain goals around the Togolese box. shoot on sight and make follow ups.adebayo should not be allowed time to control the ball at all times.No zambian player should lose the ball or mislay a pass.Keep possession until an opening is on sight.otherwise we will be like Safrica who dominated the game against Nigeria yesterday but still lost
  • Sibs wrote on 7 September, 2008, 16:16

    Gibby great Game that was Zed vs Ghana i remember it very well.This is what we want choosing players on merit.Clifford not being in the team now does not make him a bad player over night.Though i like Noel’s work rate and hes good at taking set pieces.

    Emmanuel Chali i am equally impressed by the words on Mbesuma compared to what Renard said when he first met Mbesuma in Ghana before the Togo game.This means that he has seen a fit Mbesuma & him Renard being a Physical guru we can’t argue much.

    Zamfoot i can’t seem to open the article “The Mbesuma you knew is back…”
  • Chanda wrote on 7 September, 2008, 16:41

    why no comments on the other story??
  • Chanda wrote on 7 September, 2008, 16:50

    Good 2 c Mbesuma on Target though
  • Vincent Numbwa wrote on 8 September, 2008, 10:40

    Cliford, you are still young to retire now. You are good ,your time will definately come please young man don`t take things personal.

    You are just unfortunte for now that so manya attacking mid in the team now. Remember Chamanga was left out out by Patrick Phiri but that did not discourage him we all know what he dit , yes scoring 5 goals in one game after promising to finght for a place in Zed Team that was Ghana bound.
  • Miko wrote on 9 September, 2008, 9:48

    Good choice by the coach,its good to have a coach who makes tactical additions and ommissions for the good of the team, Zambia we gat your back!!
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