September 6, 2008
CHIPOLOPOLO Boys striker Collins Mbesuma has said he is ready to prove he is still a good player as the team takes on Togo in a Group 11 Africa/World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.Mbesuma arrived on the Copperbelt on Thursday to join the national team camped in Kitwe ahead of the Togo match set for Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.
And Mbesuma has described his failed attempts to succeed in three European leagues as unfortunate.
Meanwhile, Chipolopolo Boys team physician Dr Joseph Kabungo yesterday said Sweden-based midfielder Isaac Chansa who has reportedly been injured could be ready for Wednesday’s match.
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In an interview with The Post newspapers in Luanshya on Thursday evening, Mbesuma said the Chipolopolo Boys should work hard to win the decisive match against Togo.
The Mamelodi Sundowns striker said his mission was to also win the lost confidence from Zambian fans.
“I have trained very hard for this match and I will feel bad if the coach puts me on the bench. He has never seen me in real action and I will not disappoint the nation if I was put in that match.
“I really think it will be unfair if I was left out. I have lost weight just for this game,” he said.
The former Roan United and Kaizer Chiefs marksman said scoring a goal for the national team in Wednesday’s game would be his happiest moment in life.
Mbesuma, who scored a record-breaking 35 goals at Kaizer Chiefs at the height of his career in 2003/04, said he had missed scoring goals for Zambia.
“The match is not going to be easy. Togo is not going to give us a smooth ride; they are going to try hard to win that match. So we must not underrate Togo, we have to work extra hard,” he added.
Mbesuma said he was fitting in well at South African side Mamelodi Sundown after joining the team six weeks ago.
“I was once the top scorer in the South African Premier (Soccer) League and am going to prove to everyone that once a champion always a champion. The coaches are so far happy with my progress, it is up to me to demonstrate that I can do it,” he said.
Mbesuma regretted his failure to command a place in three of the European leagues he joined.
He said he was aware that people had lost confidence in him because he had disappointed the country.
“I know a lot of people have lost confidence in me and I don’t blame them. I think the reason I failed to perform in Europe was because of the injuries that I continuously suffered, but that has changed, the Mbesuma you once knew is back,” Mbesuma bragged.
He said given another chance, he would still attempt a European offer.
Mbesuma also appealed to supporters to support the Herve Renard coached Chipolopolo Boys in Wednesday’s match.
“We need all the support we can get from all Zambians. The truth is Wednesday’s match is not going to be easy and we promise to do our best. We have dedicated this match to the late president (Levy Mwanawasa),” he told the Post newspapers.
Meanwhile, Dr Kabungo said Chansa conducted light training when the team intensified preparations for the game against Togo.
“Isaac had a minor muscle strain. We have done an assessment on him and I’m hopeful he should be ready for the match,” he said.
Dr Kabungo said the medical staff would continue assessing Chansa until the day of the match.
Elsewhere in news, Jacob Mulenga has joined the national team currently in Kitwe and Moses Sichone has signed a 2 year deal with Germany third division side Aalen.
[The Post]
28 Comments on "Mbesuma: The Mbesuma you once knew is back…I will not disappoint the nation if I was put in that match"
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Kalampa ni devil on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 9:32 AM
Let Mbesuma start upfront with Chris!!! We need an early goal not what most of the guys are suggesting to use him in the last 15-20 minutes. Awe let him do the damage first then remove him when he gets tired.
amos mumba on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 12:54 PM
Do not use those inexperienced young boys pliz,i have a lot confidence in Mbesuma to deliver.Lets use Chris and Mbesuma upfront with Chamanga taking the right wing,Felix on the left wing.Go Zambia! Go!.
Billy SA on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 1:22 PM
Good words Mr. Mbesuma. For sho prove your critics wrong. We are with you.
Alex on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 1:32 PM
Atleast you have regained your confidence and hunger for goals. Renard mentioned that mbesuma will be given game time on wednesday. Those who watched mpila heard his strategy. Last 30min is not bad for our prodigal son. We will throw you a party when u come back, i mean when you score in operation demorish togo.
Cho on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 2:06 PM
Mbesuma has been training hard let him start.
atlanta,ga on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 5:17 PM
lets wait and see,hit them like a bullet
Chanda on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 2:59 AM
Lineup….Togo shall fall
———————————Mweene—————————————-
Davies Kausu——–Tana——————Chintu—————–Musonda
——————————–Kasonde—————————————
Rainford———————————————————-Felix
——————————–Chansa——————————
——————Mbesuma—————–Katongo—————
Anonymous on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 4:09 AM
honestly just because his got confidence it dont mean his gna perform well.
thats the problem with us zambians, we need to use fit players, players that have bn doin well at clubs, mbesuma hasnt even started for his new club and you wnt to start him for the togo game come on zambians, this is football not gambling,let the coach do his job, use the players you think are fit and ready
Cho on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 5:23 AM
Mbesuma has been playing practice matches in pre-season. He has trained hard and he’s hungry. Let him start. Those Mayuka and Kola boys are tooo young, period. They have failed to score in big internationals. Just put Mbesuma and Katongo. End of story.
Mabbwana on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 9:58 AM
whether Mbesuma starts or not is not us to decide. The boy is hungry to play and perform. I still believe playing him would be a gamble considering his match-time in the past few months. But if the coach decides to go with him, I will respect that cause he’s the one who knows the ammunition he has at hand and is currently assessing them in training.
Nikolai from Monze on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 10:51 AM
Ba Mbesuma bubbling wth confidence ala mwandi ni bad.
Nway, am one of thoz who’ve lost hope in u my friend. If u r put in that match, PLEASE prove me wrong!!
Sibs on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 4:41 PM
We can say as much as we can but it’s up to the coach to name his starting 11.Let’s not underestimate Mbesuma .Most people are forgetting that Mbola taipwa in the body.It’s just the fitness that i may be concerned with but the Physical Guru has said he is impressed with Mbesuma’s fitness .
Jimmy Tembo above Zimbabwe are not yet out of Angola 2010.They currently playing Guinea now in Zim.They still have a chance especially if they win this afternoon. Though the scores are Zimbabwe 0- Guinea 0
80 minutes gone.Yaba you might be right after all.
Mavado on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 7:57 AM
Cho i feel those same young boys you say are too young might just be the heroes on Wednesday. Mbesuma is good bt lets not forget that he is not yet fully fit. If i were coach, i would start with Mayuka and Jacob Mulenga upfront. Mbesuma can play second half
Magic on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 4:34 PM
Good attitude, now translate it into good performances. Chipolopolo. True Green!
lukonde on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 4:35 PM
imwe let mbesuma start, we’ll need those boyz later! Mbola taipwa in the body Mbesuma has been training hard let him start.
Timz on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 9:05 AM
Guyz lets give Ntofuntofu a chance & let him put in action wat he is saying. The first 30mins is enough for him to prove to us.If he cant win back our confidence within the first 30mins then he will need another time to train.I belive this time arround he will deliver. Go zambia Go. Ba Mbesuma we ar with u goes are wat we all want to see. Good lucky.
Anonymous on Thu, 11th Sep 2008 12:02 PM
no, we saw yesterday that the boy hasnt ottally lost it but there is still room for much improvement…