February 2, 2009
Germany
The second half of the league season begun this past weekend in Germany, the biggest upset of the new year took place in Bremen as Arminia Bielefeld hung on for a 2-1 victory over Werder Bremen. Despite being outpossessed 73% to 27% and outshot 21(5 on target) to 5 (2 on target), Bielefeld made their two shots on target count. Chris Katongo made his presence felt offensively setting up what would prove to be the winning goal.
Katongo marking Bremen captain, and German international, Torsten Frings.
Arminia Bielefeld played the match in a 4-5-1 formation, hoping to fend off a notoriously strong Bremen attack, as they set-up in a 4-4-2 diamond formation. It was the visitors who got on the board first though, courtesy of Thorben Marx, as he was able to sneak into the box and connect on low cross from the right side. The initial ball out to the flank was supplied by the Tsunami, who was playing in a central attacking midfield role. The lead would not hold however, as 1 minute prior to half-time, Portugese international forward Huge Almeida would strike from a free kick right on the edge of the 18-yard box. Only three minutes after the restart, Katongo worked a bit of magic in the midfield to put his team ahead for good. With Bremen being pressed in their own zone, Tsunami was able to pick the pocket of the Bremen ball carrier. After taking two touches on the counter-attack, he slotted a perfectly weighted through ball to team leading scorer Artur Wichniarek in the box. The Polish striker made no mistake, sliding the ball past the goalkeeper for this 11th goal of the campaign.
Tsunami was active the whole game, being caught offside three times, drawing four fouls, and in-turn committing three fouls himself. The victory is Bielefeld’s first on the road this season, and first road victory since the opening game of last season over VFL Wolfsburg in August 2007. Meanwhile Bremen, who finished second in the league last year, and face AC Milan this month in UEFA Cup action (after being knocked out of the Champions League) lost only the second time at home this season. Video highlights of the match can be seen here – http://kickscore.blogspot.com/2009/02/werder-bremen-1-2-arminia-bielefeld.html
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In the second division, versatile veteran Andrew Sinkala was at the heart of the FC Augsburg defense in their 0-0 home draw against FC Nurnberg.
The visitors has the lions-share of possession throughout the match, 66%, but only 4 of their 13 attempts at the net were on target. Unfortunately for the home-side they could not convert on any of their shots, accuracy being a problem as only 3 of 18 attempts at the goal were on target. Augsburg remain three points out of a possible promotion spot, and continue their unbeaten run to eleven games, having last lost in the first weekend of October.
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Moses Sichone and the rest of the third division don’t resume play until next weekend.
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France Both Felix Katongo and Jacob Mulenga were ommitted from the lineup in Berrichonne Chateauroux’s home draw against league leaders RC Lens, the match finished 0-0. No word on Felix’s absence, however Mulenga is currently injured with a slight thigh problem.
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Portugal
Rainford Kalaba started for Gil Vicente as they drew 1-1 against last place club UD Olverirense. Despite the hiccup, Gil Vicente move up to third spot in the table.
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84 Comments on "Zambian Players Abroad, 02/02/09: Tsunami returns, stuns Bremen"
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Big Steve from SA on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 11:14 AM
This on off situation with Felix is worrying. What is really going on with the boy? even at this club he cant seem to hld down a spot. What about Sunzu any news from him, did he not make the bench at least?
Looks like Rainford will continue to be our shinning star. Seems our captain has started on a positive note, hope the form continues and the goals start raining in.
Mabbwana on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 11:17 AM
Interesting to hear of the good performance by Chris. Ther is still a good player in Chris, I guess its just the poor form of the club he moved to.
As for Sichone, lets hope his teams gets promotion, or at least he moves to a 1st division team.
Georgia Russia on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 11:36 AM
thats intresting chris.we need u to perform to the fullest as captain of the team.what happened to the andrew sinkala rumour.
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 12:11 PM
I think Felix is playful. I see Sunzu making it than Felix
Vincent Numbwa on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 1:19 PM
Good show from Chris and Kalaba, I hope they continue with this perfomance to the end of the season. like others have said it tricky for felix not to have game time at his second club in france.
chamwe kaira in Windhoek on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 1:29 PM
Remember Jomo Sono sent back Felix to Zambia (GBFC) because of lack of displine. He picked up in Angola and ended up in France, Jomo said Chris was very displined and professional than his brother. Lets hope all goes well for Felix, he is a good player.
Seen from afar on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 2:10 PM
Nothing is easy, playing competitive football, coaching, administrating and developing football, it’s hard!
Dinamo on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 2:24 PM
Thanx Zamfoot for the update.Good to hear that Chris has started doing his thing in Germany & I believe if he continues with this kind of form he might attract a big team.Kalaba is another player who can go places if he continues working hard.
Sibs on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 3:40 PM
Felix just came back from injury lets give him time & see what happens.On Sunzu i think hes still raw.He has not been tried & tested yet.Hes a player of the future let him learn in the reserves hes just about 20 years. Guys like Jacob(Capatin)have been in France for 4 years or so.
Kalaba for i feel hes very talented for a guy of his size he amazes me that he can shoot from any distance & hit the target.Dinamo i agree with ya the boy can go places if he reamins disciplined.
Sibs on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 4:04 PM
Sorry i meant to say if he remains….
amos mumba on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 4:22 PM
Thanks Zamfoot for the updates.On another sad note ,Zambian footballers stranded in Russia!This just goes to vindicate some of us who were against the so called trials at the time when the National Team are busy preparing for an important tournament.Something must be done about the so called agents busy interfering with the build up of the team!I hope measures will be put in place to stem this practise.
Mabbwana on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 4:55 PM
Amos, pliz add flesh to the story of the Zambian players stranded in Russia.
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 5:51 PM
@Sibs
Sibs man with respect for your comments, I feel Felix tonfwa and that is where the problem is. For him playing professional football is a matter of jumping on a plane, be signed on and the rest fika i solve. If this boy had the discipline like that of is brother he could by now have shown us some light. From the look of things he may end up like Mbesuma
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 5:53 PM
@amos mumba
What?
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 5:55 PM
How can this happen. They should have had return tickets, otherwise they were not going to be allowed into Russia in the first place
Billy on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 6:16 PM
This can only happen to a Zambian player. Shame.
Jaggari on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 6:20 PM
Re: Felix, we can’t jump to conclusions just yet. My guess would be that he hasn’t found a niche in the team yet. Felix is extremely talented and more skilful than Chris, but he has one knock: size or lack thereof for the role he plays. Chris, even though is a wee fellow as well, is more direct, faster and his game is fuelled by passion and determination. Felix is a ball handler a dribbler with a bag full of tricks, like the late great Alex Chola. If I was a coach, he’d be my playmaker. We don’t know what system or formation Berri play. It may well be that their coach prefers a more robust or bigger [physically] player in that position. Remember, too that the French leagues are staffed by big West African players who would have no problem dealing with Felix, since they grew up back home playing in the “komboni” with equally talented dribblers and ball jugglers. That’s why the American/Ghanaian Freddie Adu, who’s about the same size as Felix, can’t get a game with Monaco. Those tricks he learned in Ghana that bamboozle white players, don’t work against Mandingo brothers from West Africa.
Anonymous on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 6:47 PM
@ Big Steve from SA
Taggy on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 9:12 PM
Am just disapointed after reading that nketani is back in the team.
monk police on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 11:00 PM
Jaggari well explained,
its just a matter of time Felix will be back on track.The guy just recovered from an injury,am sure with more time he will win first place on the team.
What I also noticed is that the player (# 17) who plays on the left wing for Berri is one of most talented and dependable player they have.
This guy (#17)is even more established on the team than Felix , no wonder might be its a bet hard for him to win a place on the starting line-up.
However,am sure with more time he will clinch it.
@Jaggari
monk police on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 11:09 PM
Nketani!! no wonder we never progress. They say “a good scientist doesn’t keep repeating the same experiment expecting to find different results”.
How can Nketani make it to team on the expense of other players like Billy Mwanza if we honestly want to improve?
Anyway maybe its just for the sake of the CHAN tournament, though, he would be the last player i would pick for any national team assignment.
@Taggy
MartyUSA on Tue, 3rd Feb 2009 12:22 AM
@Jaggari
Well spoken Jaggari, couldn’t have said it better me self. Mandigo brothers huh?
Sibs. on Tue, 3rd Feb 2009 8:28 AM
One of the biggest problem i have with HR is hes always having new players in the team.The man must have called close to 70 players since he took over the job.Where is the consistency how can players gel together cos every time there is new guys.
Jaggari Mandigo bros i like that!
Onzuna on Tue, 3rd Feb 2009 4:41 PM
Felix’s football is that of playing to the clouds (Fans),he need to be serious.Coaches are looking for that killer touch in him.He is certainly Childish,and I hope he shall learn from his Brother.As for the team preparing for the CHAN Championship,Nketani will add abit of experience to the team.If Billy is around,let the coaches also consider him(as long as he is fit).I hope HR is looking for Players who can win us matches,not just ball jugglers.
Finnish on Thu, 5th Feb 2009 9:25 AM
Whiteson Simwanzan is the new trialist to RoPS Finland squad. He and Godfrey Chibanga is coming to finland. Former Chipolopolo player, is he good value?
Marvin on Tue, 24th Feb 2009 12:06 PM
Zamfoot… Where is Benard Makufi the pacey former Kalampa winger? As far as I remember he went to Sweden and at some point got injured and he just disappeared into oblivion. He was a marvel to watch though not many may remember him. Wonder if the guy is even playing.