Barclays Cup S/F Preview
- Friday, November 21, 2008, 15:01
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The Barclays Cup enters the semi final stage with both matches set for Ndola’s Trade Fair Grounds this Saturday.
In what is now has became a Barclays Cup traditional-staging games as double headers; cup holders Zesco United takes on this season’s surprise package Lusaka Dynamos in the repeat of the Bp Top 8 cup final in a lunch time kick.
Lusaka Dynamos centre-back pair Thomas Mulendemena & HH celebrating their Bp Top 8 triumph over Zesco United.
In other semi-finals, Green Buffaloes will fancy their chances against the not so impressive Power Dynamos which is making its first appearance at this stage in Zambia’s richest cup competition.
Zesco United v Lusaka Dynamos-13: 00 hours
Having lost the Bp Top 8 cup to the Queensmead Stadium side, cup and inaugural winners Zesco United looks set to avenge the throbbing loss. But against a rejuvenated Lusaka Dynamos side under one of Zambia’s most decorated coaches Fighton Simukonda on the local scene, Team Ya Ziko should be prepare itself for another mouth -watering tie.
Head on head
Earlier in the league the two sides Dynamos held Zesco United at home to a goalless stalemate. And in their latest meeting two weeks ago, Dynamos triumphed to 1-0 win in the Bp Top 8 final. So on head to head, the Lusaka based side has an upper hand but ‘Team Ya Ziko’ are the bookmakers’s favourites.
Most expensive v Reserve/youth team products
It is also worth noting that this match pits one of Zambia’s most and highly paid assembled squads in United against a ‘lowest’ paid and self-sponsored Lusaka Dynamos.
While United can only boast of teenage and new under-20 call-ups in Innocent Mwaba and John Ching’andu as the product of their youth policy or reserve team, it’s the opposite for Dynamos.
From ex-international striker Philimon Chipeta to Tom Bakala, each player in Simukonda’s 18 member team was bred and groomed and made his league debut playing in ‘The Elite’ colours in contrast to Zesco United who has paid big bucks to acquire the services of their stars.
Both teams have full strength squads going into this match. Wedson Nyirenda will keep faith in World Youth Cup goalkeeper Jacob Banda in goal. Another former under-20 star Nyambe Mulenga will be handed the responsibility of marking Chipeta the man the ‘Elite’ faithful call ‘Wiz’ after the late Wisdom ‘Wiz’ Chansa.
In midfield, Dynamos has an upper hand and coach Simukonda will be banking on the creativity of William Njobvu to supply defence splitting passes to Josphat Nkhoma, Dornwell Yobe and Chipeta.
Zescolo’s left footed striker Lottie Phiri and Jonas Sakuwaha-one of Zambia’s plus from the 3-0 thrashing by Morocco in midweek- will offer threat to the best back four on the local scene led by international centre-back Hichani Himonde.
Key battle
Jonas Sakuwaha v Hichani Himonde
The duo started and featured in Zambia’s international friendly against DR Congo and Morocco. Having spent the last two weeks on international duty, both players should be aware of their colleague’s weaknesses and strengths.
While Sakuwaha has pacy, Himonde’s aerial prowess makes it up for his lack of speedy. Despite his dazzling runs down the flanks, Sakuwaha is not yet a proven goal scorer as he squanders goal-scoring opportunities.
Prediction: 2-1 in favour of Lusaka Dynamos
Probable line-ups:
Zesco United: Jacob Banda- Rodgers Kamwandi, Nyambe Mulenga, Kabamba Chalwe, William Chinyama- Jonas Sakuwaha, Mathews Chikwete, Lottie Phiri, Clifford Chipalo- Nicholas Zulu, Enoch Sakala
Lusaka Dynamos: William Chibale- Chabusha Malumani, Hichani Himonde, Thomas Mulendemena, Mwelwa Katongo- Josphat Nkhoma, William Njobvu, Sydney Kaluwe, Lameck Mwale- Dornwell Yobe, Philimon Chipeta
Power Dynamos v Green Buffaloes-15:00 hrs
This one pits two different coaches, one from the old school in Power Dynamos mentor Fordson Kabole against George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina from the new breed. The two sides have already met twice this season in the league. In the first round of league matches, Dinamo lost 3-0 in Kitwe but avenged in the second round tie via a Francis Kombe lone goal at Woodlands Stadium.
In this encounter, the 1998 league winner with Nchanga Rangers, Kabole will parade an experienced back four that have over 50 international caps between them. In Laughter Chilembi, Billy Mwanza, Steven Kunda and skipper Francis Kasonde, goalkeeper Rabson Mucheleng’anga is expected to have an off afternoon atleast on paper.
The key battle will be in the engine room were both sides are boasting the creativity and playmaking talents of Sebastian Mwansa for Buffaloes and Power 90’ Chanda Mwaba who is featuring as a guest player from Finland top flight side RoPS.
If the left footed Mwaba will have an off day, then Lwandamina will have to be wary of the threat poised by wing duo of Kennedy ‘Babanginda’ Mudenda and Simon Bwalya.
Key Battle
Kennedy Mudenda v Sydney Lombe
It’s one of the best wingers on Zambian soil against up coming full back. Mudenda has been nicknamed Babanginda while Lombe is known as Canavarro in the Buffaloes. The Chipolopolo winger’s tricky and teasing foot work will be one of the high lights the afternoon but against a nonsense old fashioned defending style of lombe, Mudenda will have really test.
Prediction: 1-0 in favour of Power Dynamos
Probable line-ups
Power Dynamos: 4-5-1 (triangle midfield) Rabson Mucheleng’anga- Laughter Chilembi, Billy Mwanza, Steven Kunda, Francis Kasonde- Mudenda, Shabby Mwaba, Chanda Mwaba, Sitali Mubita, Simon Bwalya- Elson M’kandawire
Green Buffaloes: 4-4-2 (diamond midfield) – Mike Poto- Sydney Lombe, Lawrence Phiri, Dennis Banda, Jere- John Musukwa, Jeff Zimba, Sekelani Mwale, Sebastian Mwansa- Reuben Tembo, Morgan Hanjema
KCM/FAZ Premier League Fixtures
Saturday-22nd November 2008
City of Lusaka v Roan United
Kabwe Warriors v Red Arrows
Young Arrows v Green Eagles
Sunday- 23rd November 2008
Konkola Blades v Nkwazi
Wednesday- 26th November 2008
Power Dynamos v Nkana
Zesco United v Nchanga Rangers
Green Buffaloes v Zanaco
Lusaka Dynamos Chambishi
About the Author
Zamfoot has written 1972 stories on this site.
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Well well well, all dies cast, we wait for the “clashes” tomorrow. Once again I put my money on Lsk Dynamos. That goal prediction by Zamfoot is actually what I had in mind too. (though to score 2 at Zega’s own turf will be something to talk about).
In the other tie, I go for the other Dynamos – Power 90 (this time I am not for our neighbors GBFC). I feel Dynamos will take the day by a lone goal. THATS MY TAKE.
For me the score line will either be Zega 1-LD 0
Bola Panshi, I am going for GBFC 2-1 against Power Dyanmoes simply because GBFC is solid and Power has been porous of late.
Though Power has interesting wingers, the energy of GBFC winger is there for all to see and Sebastian Mwansa’s passing can be key to a win. Plus the defence of GBFC is also strong to handle Power.
I know Dinamo and Spaks will kill me but that is my take.
Great pics all around Zamfoot. But please remember to place captions on every picture so we can know which team and/or players we are looking at. If necessary, describe the occasion. If I had not looked at the previous postings, I would not have known any of this aforementioned information.
But thanks for all you do Zamfoot.
For sure Ba Ole,you are completely off side on this one.I mean just look at the two line ups & check the quality.Its unfortunate we gave out a few points in the ZPL but like what the ‘Evergreen’ Linos Makwaza said in the Post today,the team have a duty to give us atleast a trophy & push for the 2nd slot to enable us play CAF games next season.Ba coach has said we mean business here!!.Ala kale, chiletubaba”BA GBFC MWAPYA BA NDEKE BAISA” DINAMO!!!.
Ba ole, dream on, i will be with you all shortly
I am still convinced GBFC will beat Power. I haven’t watched Power a lot this season seeing am a Kalampa fan but the game when Power beat Zanaco 5-1, the 0-0 with Lusaka Dynamoes and Power vs City at Woodlands were enough for me to judge the team. So its 2-1 GBFC for me and I am going for ZESCO in the other game.
And I am waiting for City and Young Arrows to do Nkana a favour by beating Roan and Eagles for us.
Then tomorrow, I hope the two draw.
Anonymous – is that you Ba Spaks?
Ba Ole, coming to your hopes for Kalampa, you can count on us, ba City ya moto because we will definitely carry the day and thus increase your chances in the ZPL next season. After all, it is my wish that Kalampa stays in the ZPL. They bring in the “necessary noise” to the league and that makes it even more exciting.
I also think Y. Arrows will do you justice though Aubrey ama longa when least expected ka…
Bola Panshi, you forgot to mention that apart from the noise we bring, we also bring money. Every game we go to is charged higher than normal. I remember boasting to the gateman last week at Woodlands that when Nkana is in town they should increase the charge from 10 pin and he laughed that Nkana supporters always say that. Looks like we are getting used to paying over the norm as Nkana supporters.
Talking of city, when we won at city 0-1, city officials, despite the win were happily counting the ‘millions’ raked from the gates. Even the coach Fighton Simukonda didn’t mind me telling him it was fine to lose as he was a Kalampa man through and through because despite the loss, city had raked in serious millions. More than 20 meter that day alone if I am not mistaken.
We need to survive this season so that when GTV brings in their new package, Nkana can benefit too.
Have to run for my 5-a-side game at Portico
Ba Ole, you are right on the maximum gate takings. A lot of soccer fans relate to Kalampa so much so that whenever there is a chance to watch a Kalampa match (especially when they visit Chilenje) they would not want to miss that chance. This goes back to the 90s.
Now what is it that GTV is bringing to our beloved ZPL? I haven’t gotten wind of that.
GTV is proposing to take over from KCM in sponsoring the league but they propose to give some of the funds directly to the clubs to help their coffers. More like the English Premiership.
Meanwhile, this would mean the same amount KCM has pumped in this year but different distribution plan. This also means ZPL being screened on GTV instead of DSTV.