Blog: Make the change
By Ba Muzo
The wave of expectation that had gripped the nation before the Chipolopolo clash against the Amavubi of Rwanda at Konkola last Saturday was unprecedented.
Not since the days of the famed Independence Stadium did Zambians from all walks of life including the diaspora believe that Zambia would harvest an avalanche of goals against a modest but fast rising Rwanda side.
At Independence, in the days of the KK 11 and later the team that perished off the coast of Gabon, it was a matter of how many goals Zambia would win by rather than would Zambia win at all!
After Zambia’s splendid showing at the CHAN and that creditable draw away to Egypt, no one could deny any Zambian the feel good factor and ability to dream big again.
The core of the present squad and what they have achieved is a reason to believe that now could be the time for Zambia to rise and shine.
The Rwanda game put a damper on the unbridled expectation in many people’s minds. But not mine. Admittedly, I had hoped Zambia would handsomely spank the Amavubi. But it was never to be. Zambia huffed and puffed to a slender 1-0 win. I am not disappointed because if you had asked any one whether at this stage the Chipolopolo would be joint top of group C, I doubt many would have had the guts to say ‘’Yes.’’
The banner of the official sponsors of the Chipolopolo Boys Mosi read in part: Make the change! I read quite a lot in it as regards the way forward for Zambia in these qualifiers.
I had predicted a 4-0 Zambia win. Another of the many banners in the stands read: ‘’Tyre dealers from Soweto Market support the Chipolopolo Boys: Zambia 3 Rwanda 0!’’ I was not alone in expecting a heavy win. The rationale was if we were to make a head start in the race to the World Cup in South Africa 2010 we had to win big. The size of a win in football does matter when it comes to crunch qualifiers! No wonder Ageria are top of the group on goal difference after their 3-1 win over the much touted Africa Champions Egypt. If the qualifiers were to end today, Algeria would qualify. It’s that simple.
Many people were correctly disappointed with the score line. Like I had written in the preview, hearts were racing with the prospect that was facing the Chipolopolo before the Amavubi clash. A big win? A draw? A loss? Or a slender win! The latter was the result like every one now knows. It was an invaluable three points. Job done. Thank you very much!
As Zambians we need to make the change as we move forward.
Patriotic fans from every station in life trooped to Konkola as early as 09 00 hours on match day. Those outside the country were frantically making arrangements to watch the game over the Internet. I had to miss a close friend’s wedding to watch the match! I could have been in Chililabombwe but damn the commitments in my other life!
Notable in the stadium packed nearly to capacity was the Republican President Rupiah Banda clad in a Mbesuma number 9 green Zambia replica! This was not a day to disappoint! But I was disappointed with the crowd especially the: ”we want change! We want change!” slogan that greeted Banda when he entered the Stadium. That was unnecessary. Football stadia should not be an arena for partisan politics. In spite of the perceived problems with the Banda administration, I feel that in football the President has been a goal getter! Lets accept this and make the change fans!
For the fans, we need to make the change. The boisterous mood that characterised Konkola prior to kick off soon evaporated in thin air. A quarter of an hour had gone. There was no goal. With that went the needed support. Rwanda could rightly grow in confidence. They had managed to defeat the twelfth Zambia player in the first minutes of the match!
Lets take one leaf from Liverpool fans’ book. The Kop faithful would always sing ’You will never walk alone’ when the chips are down. We all need encouragement when we are at our lowest ebb! Don’t we? Come on Zambians we can do better! Let us start with Algeria on June 20. We need to top the group! The twelfth man must sing and shout lungs out come rain or sunshine!
Everyone at kick off was convinced the players in the staring eleven would deliver the expected result. Kennedy Mweene, Joseph Musonda, Emmanuel Mbola, Nyambe Mulenga, Francis Kasonde, Rainford Kalaba, Noah Chivuta, Given Singuluma, Christopher Katongo and Felix Katongo were more than capable of doing the job.
It is not a question of over hyping the squad. It’s self confidence. History and present the Zambia are a quality side by leaps and bounds compared to Rwanda. The Chipolopolo started the game like men possessed pouring forward in numbers. They looked to quickly settle the issue and nerves could later distract them before a demanding crowd and nation.
Felix Katongo was the first to signal Zambia’s intentions with a stinging shot from outside the box that was spilled by the impressive Rwanda goalkeeper Jean Claude Ngoli on the quarter of the hour. This was just before Dennis Banda had showed his elegance at the back by beating a Rwandese striker with such finesse as like never been seen before since the days of the Estone Mulengas.
But soon the early enthusiasm petered out! Stray passes here and there. And the fans went dead silent. One could hear a pin fall on the grounds of the Konkola pregnant with people!
Zambia’s midfield went to sleep. Noah Chivuta paid the price for it on 36 minutes. On came prodigal son Collins Mbesuma to a wild ovation. The joy of Mbesuma’s entry was soon to give way to much chagrin as the crowd’s favourite son soon turned villain. Just in a space of two minutes. People can change! Mbesuma did the unforgivable in the eyes of the fickle fans. Instead of finding the net from the spot he found the palms of Ndoli with a casual looking low drive. He could not save his neck failing to obey the ‘once beaten twice shy’ cliché as he fluffed the rebound. The fans were incensed.
This is where we need to make the change as fans. Many star players have missed penalties. Who would forget Italy’s Roberto Baggio botched effort that handed Brazil the World Cup in 1994? The last we remember of the Great Kalusha Bwalya’s illustrious career was that penalty miss that cost Zambia the COSAFA cup to Angola at Independence. My beloved Manchester United saw now the World’s best player Christiano Ronaldo miss a penaltly in last year’s UEFA Champions League final. More seriously, lets not forget, the breadth of the upright had denied Chelsea the Cup by the unfortunate miss by their reliable captain John Terry. Examples abound. Were they insulted? Hearts certainly pain with such costly gaffes but failure to understand them is failure to understand the game of football.
Of course, questions abound as to why a player that had barely warmed to the game put his career on the line to take the spot kick. One immediate answer is that the player Mamelodi Sundowns are releasing on June 31 was in a hurry to please the hard to impress Zambia fans. He wanted to make up for the mess his once glittering career has turned into! Otherwise, Chris should have taken the spot kick; Mbesuma’s engine was barely running!
The former Burspaor forward who also had a stint at Maritimo in Portugal where he was club top scorer in the season he spent there on loan from English Premiership strugglers Portsmouth suffered the ignominy of a substitute being substituted. But he should not be demonised. Let us give him enough chance to make the change that his career desperately needs. Albeit, his troubled past is well documented. I would not be the first one though to throw a stone on a beloved wounded soldier! I would certainly not throw a blanket over the former Kaiser Chiefs goal machine’s future with Zambia. He has since apologised unreservedly for the miss to all Zambians. What humility he is begining to show just as Renard pointed out he took the decision to be benched very well. Signs of growing up and making the change perhaps.
New kid on the block: Emmanuel Mbola of Pyunik Yervan in Armenia was the man of the match.
Coach Herve Renard did make the change. He was brave in bringing off Mbesuma. I thought he should have started Mbesuma and Jacob Mulenga due to their contrasting styles in their game. I heard after the Egypt game from impeccable sources that Mulenga would not start the Rwanda match. Monsieur Renard is understood to have been infuriated by the Utrecht bound forward’s inexplicable miss in the first half against the Pharaohs. Now emotions must never over ride team selections. Or even pressure from fans. In postmortem, we can only suggest but ultimately the decision lies with the coach. After all, it is his head that lies close to the axe!
I do not know whether the narrow wins at home under Renard are any coincidence. The coach needs to be brave enough not toplay defensive minded formations. He needs to throw caution to the wind at home when we need a lot of goals. Renard seems to have the same plan always. Many did not see the game Zambia under 20 lost 1-0 at the death to Egypt in Chingola after forcing a 3-3 away in Cairo that qualified the North African to the junior continent championships. Zambia was too conscious and paid the price. On that occasion he played Stophira Sunzu in central defence and Justine Zulu as a holding midfielder in a game we needed not to defend.
I feel that the coach needs to make the change and be a bit more adventurous at home and not wait until the pressure is on to crank up the attack! Sometimes, the changes though well intentioned seems panicky to me. At some point we had similar strikers like Chamanga and Jacob running in the same positions and in the end the impact of Chamanga was not felt.
Jacob showed in less than half an hour that he came on the pitch for Singuluma that he could make the change to the side. On 83 minutes, Mulenga broke even on the left beat a cluster of defenders only for Ndoli to make a double save from the Chatearoux departing vice captain. He had a couple of threatening headers that missed the target by whiskers in quick succession after coming on from the bench. He began to work the Rwandese defence. And they crumbled under the stress. Jacob can harass, run, jump but rarely scores for Zambia. He can play off Mbesuma or Singuluma who are natural finishers.
I would not really fault the strikers in that match. Admittedly, there was some sort of profligacy in their finishing. But the main problem for me was the engine room. Our midfield lacked imagination. We could not really string passes together as is customary to us. We lacked a midfield maestro in the mould of a Charles Musonda. I think that we need to have Isaac Chansa or William Njobvu to play make. We need these guys to pull the strings in midfield. Those fetch and carry antics that made Zinedine Zidane a world cult hero are vital for any team to play flowing football like a smooth Mosi down the gullet of a thirst imbiber!
The holding role can still fall on Francis Kasonde or better still Andrew Sinkala. The Bundesliga two campaigner is the best holding midfielder Zambia has produced post Gabon era. I am not a subscriber of the school of thought that says Sinkala’s era is gone. We might need his vital experience at some point. Believe me. Football is littered with examples of players that have fallen out with their mother bodies but still came back to do the job for their country. Let us not be personal and make the change.
The other scenario is to make our own Xavi-Iniesta combination of the purists’ free flowing football of Barcelona repute in Felix Katongo and Rainford Kalaba. Many pundits generally agree that Felix and Rainford are more effective coming from the deep of midfield unlike from flanks. Review Felix’s performance in the Egpyt game at AFCON 2008. Patrick Phiri managed to expose Felix and even have the boy sold to Rennes without trials because of his correct positioning. I gather the boy himself prefers a more central attacking role. The same applies to Chris. For the umpteenth time, Chris is more effective from the hole. Anywhere else you are expending the energies of these gloriously talented lads. And make them look ineffective and ordinary.
If one is in need of wingers they are not in short supply in Zambia. Jonas Sakuwaha is very effective. And no one would be voted the young best player in Africa if they were not exceptional. Clifford Mulenga. With a bit of taming, Mulenga would be fine. Fwayo Tembo is another natural winger with a knack for goal. We make the change!
Credit must be given to Renard for the way he has galvanized the Chipolopolo into a never say die attitude side. That is the reason that I had no shadow of doubt they would deliver the victory. Even on off day shifts, the mark of great teams is to grind out results. Zambia did just that against Rwanda.
He showed bravery by removing Chivuta early when he realized the Supersport United player was operating in the same holding role as Kasonde and was failing to link up play forward. Removing Mbesuma also was going to be an issue for a timid coach. Renard did admit feeling the fans pressure on Mbesuma’s selection. But the French man was very firm in benching the Former Roan Utd star for China based James Chamanga with little more than a quarter of the game left when it was apparent the penalty miss was affecting the Pompey sojourner psychologically as the trainer made us understand in his post match interview.
This is where Football Association of Zambia must make the change. The coach must be afforded quality friendly internationals prior to crucial games for him to try out various combinations and assess players. You can’t play Orlando Pirates under somethings- 15? And expect to win big games. We ought to be serious. Rwanda played Malawi. Just a week before facing us! Why does FAZ fail to organize quality friendlies surely? I do not buy into the lame excuses I hear from Football House. Mauritius played South Africa when we were in that country. We could have arranged hastily a match against them.
Other countries around us such as Zimbabwe,Botswana, Swaziland and Angola are not in these World Cup/Africa Cup 2010. They are starved of football matches. They would jump at the idea of giving their teams some action. Now we have so many many sponsors. We can afford some appearance fees for visiting teams. Cant we? At least, the Sports Minister tells us they have given FAZ everything. Lets exploit that avenue. People are not just bragging that they have availed FAZ money. Use some of it for friendlies. There is more where that is coming from!
Am glad Kalusha Bwalya, the FAZ boss, in acknowledging the windfall prevailed over by the President did indicate the money pumped into the Chipolopolo would be put to good use. Proper friendlies are one of the good uses Kalu! The financial filip that the team is receiving is unprecedented. More so in the global economic down turn. The President again and again together with those heeding the call to help the Chipolopolo make the change realizable.
Rupiah Banda rightly pointed out after the match that although he was pleased that Zambia emerged victorious, he wanted to see proper preparations before the Algeria match. His Excellency did not mince his words. He wanted to see an end to sham practice matches with nondescript teams!
President Banda has done well for the national soccer team in mobilizing many sponsors including Mosi. By the same token I request the President to look at refurbishing the Konkola turf. It is no longer a mystery that in some countries, that turf could not pass for the worst. The Algerians told us so to our faces. But it is not to the visitors’ advantage. It is in our interest for us to have a turf that can accommodate a good passing game of football. To be honest, Konkola is far from that. Zambia in my opinion played rather unimpressively in part no thanks to the poor Konkola turf!
Rwanda looked immaculate in their national colours. That bright orange Adidas Bafana Bafana like shirt with blue shorts and matching green socks looked good to me. They even had FIFA badges on their sleeves. With Zambia, immaculate plain meaningless white not even a FIFA badge. Rwanda have not been to the World Cup before but they still have decent attire all round in their colours. We can make the change Zambia!
All was not lost as the slender result seemed to suggest. We have to make the change. We must learn to accept results. We cannot change anything once a game has been played. Like the result or not!
I can certainly take a lot of positives from the Rwanda win. Firstly, it was a win. A win is a win! Secondly, there was the man of the match performance by Emmanuel Mbola. The Armenia based starlet of Pyunik Yervan is an exceptional talent. He showed that by an all round performance for which the distant second was Rwanda goalie Ndoli on the day. The teenager unearthed from the labyrinth of Mansa not too long ago by little known Mining Rangers looks a real prospect for the highest level if he remains cool headed. His attacking play whose highlight was winning that fluffed Mbesuma penalty and providing the assist for that Kalaba’s goal, was a marvel to watch. His defending was resolute. Not in many defenders are such singular qualities combined in over flowing abundance as in this teenager.
The defence generally played very well. Only rarely was arguably the best goalkeeper south of the equator Kennedy Mweene called into action. Otherwise, he was virtually on holiday and could have gone to the bars to ask for a Mosi, if he drinks, without anyone barely noticing! The only time I saw the Free State Stars shot stopper prominently was when he received protracted treatment on 84 minutes.
Then there was also that Chris Katongo disallowed headed goal. Senegalese referee Ahmed Tidjane could have done better on that one. The result could have been easily 2-0. Add the missed penalty 3-0. I counted about three more sure efforts that the almost impregnable Ndoli foiled. In the third minute of injury time, Mbesuma brilliantly chested a high ball and volleyed nearly an atonement effort that was parried by Ndoli for a corner.
In the closing stages the keeper who East Africa legend has it was accused of using black magic to prevent shipping goals made an astonishing double save from impact substitute Mulenga. That Felix Katongo stinging shot that scarred Ndoli’s hands on 15 minutes on another day and another goalkeeper would have gone in! Tidjane and his fellow Senegalese assistant referee Samba Malick amazingly failed to see that a Singuluma strike had hit a Rwandese defender in the box and waved away any penalty appeals!
Africa needs to make the change because some refereeing decisions we have seen on the continent have been shocking to say the least. The Saturday one does not really rank in the worst but it could have been better especially the coordination between the referee and his assistants.
On another plane, the Croatian Tanko Branko drilled Rwandese side stuck to their defensive duties admirably. At times, the Amavubi annoyingly resorted to delaying tactics such as feigning injuries and lying on the pitch for lengthy periods to frustrate the Chipolopolo Boys. A draw to them looked liked a win and they fought dearly and rarely threatened to better the draw they seemingly were about to earn. And the Amavubi wanted the draw whether by hook or crook. Their captain Olivier Karekezi admitted that they had set out to defend but Zambia were simply a class above them.
That is why that parity which belies the gulf in quality between the two sides was denied the Amavubi. Kalaba late in the match as many began to doubt whether lady luck would shine on Zambia rose to the occasion with a goal which would not be necessarily defined as a beauty from a sumptuous Mbola cross that settled the matter with less twelve minutes remaining on the clock. It was not going to be easy as Katongo and Renard themselves said post match.
Ironically, the move for the precious goal was started by Renard. On 77 minutes, he chased the ball theatrically when it went out near his technical area in order to promptly resume play as the hunt for a goal grew frantic. And the rest is now history. What will to win by the Frenchman perhaps epitomizing his new moniker the ‘Super Fox’!
So it was not all doom’s day on d-day-June 6- at Konkola! Elsewhere, even Argentina with the great Lionel Messi in their ranks only managed to win 1-0 against Columbia at home. Does it ring any bells?
Thank God, the Copper Bullet prevailed.
Not by the goals galore many expected and predicted. But we have three precious points and on course for that elusive maiden appearance at the World Cup finals. That is all that matters now. With Egypt being clobbered by Algeria, the door for qualification for Zambia is not ajar. It is wide open! The Arabs, I maintain, will sort each other out. The Chipolopolo just need to pick up points. Sometimes, they won’t put the gloss on some wins. But home wins will stand us in good stead. I am still very excited.
As the matches come and go, and with them South Africa 2010 beckoning, we all need to make the change to achieve our long cherished dream! Let us start with Algeria if we can. Shall we?
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Congz for CHIPOLOPOLO …It was a good game in a nasty pitch..that left our players in frastrations “do u gayz pay taxes anyway” .wht wrong?.Good that u coach has admitted ..we gave u a tough game…then disappointed by our coach ‘tactics and u remember the difender who gave out a penalty and even a goal was left to play until 85th mins.All in all Wwe are still in the race and i beleive that was our first away game mistakes will be corrected and we are sure of all 3 maximum points for all games played here in KIGALI.We have proved that with big names..ask MORROCCO,NIGERIA,GHANA etc..
Yes we can make a change!! What a sumptous pre, during & post analysis of events of Zambia-Rwanda game. A very wonderful piece of information, BaMuzo. I very much agree with u on the following points:
1.Mbesuma shud not be demonised. Maybe a 2nd chance?
2.Fans shud rally behind the team from the 1st to last whistle
3.Super fox should be more attack minded with his 4mations in the remaining games
4.More friendlies b4 the Algeria game
5. Zambia-Algeria (June 10th) match will decide our fate as things stand now
6. Arabs will sort each other out to our great advantage
7. Zambia is on a NON-return trip to SA 2010
Campos, I am happy to see you hear even after the defeat. Good spirit.
Ba Muzo, I agree with your sentiments on the pitch, kit and more testing friendlies.
Gud analysis n very well written, Barak obama a now famous icon said, yES WE CAN n HE dID It. I see nothin stoppin Zambia if we believe we can, one zero is not bad, but we need ve goals for goal difference purposes. YES WE CAN, actually, YES WE WILL!
Ba Muzo, you’re the best. you’re a great soccer writer and analyst. Campos we need you on this blog. am must say at 1st you used to irritate me but of late i llok forward to your comments.
I do not agree with you Ba Muzo on Mbesuma. The has been given so many chances, but only to fluff them. I agree a lot of stars miss penalties. To tell you Mbesuma is no longer himself. I even wondered why he was selected at the expense of Mayuka. In such crucial games like the WC qualifiers, such misses can cost you the game. This should be known to Zambia by now. In the game against Algeria, players should be selected on merit. Look at the way Chivuta struggled, the guy at SS never even used to warm the bench and yet you start him. In the game against Algeria in two weeks’ time, such mistakes should not be tolerated, otherwise there will be violence at Konkola at the end of the game.
@Billy
Violence again bakamba?? win or lose us Zambians will not go down the violence road and no one should even begin to preach it especialy on ths blog. I think Mbesuma missing a penalty is what is getting to everyone because in all honesty he had a better game than a lot of other players on the day, Chivuta, Singalume these were just off on the day and yet no one on this blog is counting their days. Even our great Katman was not at his best and our Captain only had two shots at goal, same number as Mbesuma. The amakula came with a hard defensive approach and frankly we did not have a game plan for such an approach. I think HR planned around them coming with the same aproach they had aganist Algeria. Algeria have 4 points a draw at Konkola would be very good for them and will keep them at the top of the group as such their approch will also be most likely defensive. In my opinion the issue with us was our midfield. he left flank was the mostly utilised and this was because Mbola kept making runs whilst the right flank lacked Musonda making the same runs and puting in crosses. Anyway with players like Chris and Jacob who can run a defenders maybe we should be running tha ball through the centre especially when playing aganist guys taller and more physical than us. With all being said I still say well done to the boys.
Good analysis my man. We need to change indeed, the problem with the Rwanda game was that we gave Rwanda too much respect and ended up being over cautious. We cant afford to do that when playing at home not when our opponets like the Algerians had their guns blazing against Egypt.
We have to be more vicious playing at home. We had the flow of the game in favour while Rwanda did the most erritating delaying tactics on the field. When we finally got the goal we were too content with it that we were the ones doing the delaying tactics, I remember one corner in the where we had just two players in Rwandese box Felix kicked the ball right through to other side of the field.
Anyway Rwanda is over, Egypt is bruised will come breathing fire on us with an open game we will have to fight and play for a win and not play the way we played aginst Rwanda otherwise we will drouwn. Rwanda will be beatable in Kigali while we have to derail Algerian from getting threed point from us. Football can be results can be so unpredictable we can not play a wait and see game we have to get the results our selves from home games.
This is my take on the game we got what was needed that’s 3 points . Though we could have scored more than 1 goal on a day we created more but not very convincing in front of goal.
1.Like Ba Muzo has said i was equally dissapointed by the fans who were very quiet. The team was pushing forward, attacking and it was 0-0 but the supporters were quiet. What if the the Rwandese had scored first ? We have seen home teams a goal down come back and win a game cos of the home support. Please Pst. Makembo or someone needs to organise the fans for the next game.
This is what makes me miss independo because the guys at Gate D never dissapointed when it came to “ichimwela” the always inspired the whole stadium to sing inchipolopolo or the would just go Let’s go Zambia,let’s go….. .
2. I was impressed by the Coach’s reading of the game he was bold to make a substitute within the first half though the Sub himself went on to dissapoint. We saw it with the past Coaches when were losing or not doing well the would only make a Substitute with 15/20 minutes to go. No need to mention names….
3. We need the Captain to step up and provide leadership on the pitch by motivating the guys ,talking or even “screaming” where there is need . We have seen it with guys like J.Terry , Rio Man Utd, Kobe for the Lakers. Chris at times tends to be quiet or a bit passive. He could have intervened with the penalty situation with Collins if he had steped up. Though i can’t blame him much for the latter. The Coach needs to appoint someone to be a penalty taker when we get a penalty in open play. The same with free kicks we can’t be having everyone rushing for a try and error situation.
4.Faz needs to arrange for a friendly with any of the teams coming for the Confenderation Cup teams like Iraq could be a good friendly though the are playing on Sunday opening game against the hosts. New Zealand who just lost to Tanzania last week would have been a good training will be playing Italy on Wednesday in South Africa. Even Mozambique who recently drew with Nigeria can give us a good training game. A friendly game could be good opportunity to see what guys like Fwayo can do and few other combinations can tried like who can patner Jacob upfront is it Chris, Given or Chamanga ?
Lastly these World Qualifiers have proved that the are no easy games or small teams. Cameroun, Morocco,Egypt have learned the hard way.
Great artcile Ba Muzo, like said as well the mark of a good team is to get the victory on an off day. Zambia did just that, and One thing about Renard(mentioned in this article) is that he has instilled that fighting spirit in the team. No matter how bad things are going they keep coming fight through and dont give up. Zambian teams in our most recent history would have faltered last saturday under the pressure. But these kids just keep on keeping on. They are playing for each other and their coach. This steely resolve will do us good down the road because this is a long struggle and the team that does not fAlter will go to SA.
We are due a great game from the guys and they will deliver soon rather than later! I would like to see Issac Chansa in the middle of the park with Chris playing right behind Jacob and Given. This team is just meshing in another 6-12 months they will be a handful and you can take that to the bank! Right now they are good enough to make a run to the worldcup. That kid Mbola will be in one of the top 3 Euro leagues next summer.
Good analysis ba Muzo.Yes we need to MAKE THE CHANGE.I like your opinion on our midfield.Mr Reliable is begining to master that role but for the sake of depth in the team in these tricky qualifiers ANDREW SINKALA’s services can give us the much needed composure and experiece in that role and as I said in my previous comments if Chansa remains injured for the Algeria game WILLIAM NJOBVU can be tried in that play maker role in the engine room with support from Kalaba and Felix.I can go for Chris in the hole and Jacob as a top man.FAZ should atleast give HR a friendly were he can try out diffrent formations before the do or die Algeria game.Ive said enough on Mbesuma his overall perfomance wasn’t the best that level.Its we called a spade a spade Mbesuma should be allowed to re-build his nose diving career at club level we will need his input when he gets to his real self for now the likes of Boyd Mwila who have managed to stay in Europe where others have failed should also get the chance to prove if they can add value to their national team
First i would like to congrats the boys for collecting 3 points against rwanda. Although i differ that guy compos who suggested that his team has learnt a lesson and will improve in the upcoming games. He further remind how his team beat the likes of nigeria, morocco etc. For me Rwanda is playing defensive games that even cost them a penalty, so rwanda will reap what you soal. Coming to my team, zambia is going to afcon/wc 2010. ” Lesa wa bonse” God for all, this time he picks zambia for the worldcup. On Mbesuma, lets start pointing fingers guys we’re all zed. Lets just advise the guy for now to work hard and the coach for now he should use mbesuma in friendly games and the tournament like cosafa and CHAN*(If he wont be signed to a foriegn clud) so that he can be ready and stable for major events like the AFCON/WC 2010. And just my opinion, i think the president must not be on the terraces in the next games to avoid embarassment and violence, we all know the majority citizens belong to the opposition and to add salt to soup, the ongoing scandals and corruption cases. Go luck Chipolopolo and God bless mother Zambia. Angola & South Africa watch out for the copper bullets we’re coming to shoot you.
Hey that FIFA warning should be treated as an emergency. Remember the Algerians wrote something to FIFA and I suspect FIFA decided to put us under a microscope whe they got the complait.The earlier we react to this emergency the better and if it means camping manpower on site to do the works let it be so the ASAP.
We can chose to stick to our plan which is working and stay calm. We use the amunition in camp, make three changes to the starting 11, HH for NM, VN 4 NC & JM 4 GS-its a fluid team. Thats a direct approach
CORRECTION!! ON ARTICAL #15- 1. Lets not finger point…(NOT) …Lets finger point… 2. If signed to a foriegn club..(NOT) Clud.
Good Article BaMuzo….I think We got the job done, and most of the fans that were disappointed are the ones who expected more from the squad. I believe Chamz is satisfied with the result, because he had predicted a tough game. We collected the vital points, and that was a tough match. Our fans need to change, our team is usually under pressure playing at home because of the demanding fans. Algeria failed to beat Rwanda even though they played away. This still suggests that Rwanda has a tough defense. In my eyes we still have an advantage, all we have to do is beat Algeria at home.
Can the real performers stand up?
How Amavubi players rated against Zambia
Amavubi Stars next qualifier away to Egypt on July 5 will determine whether by the time of the return matches they will still be in contention to finish in the first three teams in their group.
Defeat in Cairo or Alexandria will leave Rwanda bottom of the table with just a point out of a possible nine and a mountain to climb in the race for qualification for either the World Cup or Nations Cup.
Times Sport’s team cast a discerning eye over Rwanda’s performers in the 1-0 defeat against Zambia.
Jean Claude Ndoli – 8
His only let-down was the goal he conceded thanks largely to poor marking on the side of his defenders. His first half penalty save and the subsequent rebound from Collins Mbesuma in addition to nine more important saves saved the visitors from a real beating.
Aloua Gaseruka – 2
Was awful throughout, playing panicky stuff until he was substituted with nine minutes left. He gave away a cheap penalty in the first half and he was at fault for Zambia’s goal. He was never sure of what he was doing with or without the ball, but should be thankful backup right-back Jean Bosco Uwacu is no different.
Hamad Ndikumana – 7
Did well in the heart of Amavubi defence, made a couple of vital interceptions—sometimes desperate but at least he did his work to stop Zambia’s numerous attacks.
Wish he was still the team captain instead of the current band holder, who seems to have run out of ideas, not to mention forgetting how to play football.
Boubakary Saddou – 5.5
It is difficult to remember him making so much contribution, got booked for dissent, but he did what was required of him.
Patrick Mafisango – 4
Like Saddou, Mafisango never made any meaningful contribution especially in terms of going forward but given the way Tucak Branko set out his team to play, he did his job but with less efficiency.
Mbuyu Twite – 5
The APR captain’s contribution in a five-man midfield was a disappointment. Known for his hard work and long throw-ins, Mbuyu was full of running but less effective with his passing. Even his renowned long throw-ins were nowhere to be seen.
Jean Mugiraneza – 4
Migi was full running but a headless chicken, he didn’t seem to know what he was doing or supposed to do in a congested midfield where he, Mbuyu, Mafisango and at times Elias Ntaganda were always out of position, caught in possession by the opposition and his passing was a disappointment. He was replaced by Albert Ngabo on the 69th minute.
Haruna Niyonzima – 5
What a mixed performance he had. Was Rwanda’s best outfield player in the early exchanges but went missing as the first half grew older.
He was the team’s potential source of clever passing and holding play but never returned after the break as Tucak opted for a more defensive Bonaventure Hategekimana.
Elias Ntaganda-3
The veteran APR defender has played the last two qualifiers in an unfamiliar midfield position, which even to his standards, is asking too much of his ability. He can’t cross the ball whether with his left or right foot.
Olivier Karekezi – 4
The Amavubi skipper did the running all round the field but as a striker; he never had a single shot on goal. Like in the game against Algeria, Karekezi, who’s supposed to be the team leader in terms of performances, was again a major let-down.
He looked less than comfortable when in possession of the ball and kept running towards the corner flag rather than driving in the direction of the opposition penalty area.
Labama Bokota – 4
After a long spell on the sideline with injuries, Bokota’s return to the team as the main striker was a downer. Did not see as much of the ball as he wanted and when he got it, the lack of march fitness and sharpness was in evidence.
Substitutes
Hategekimana – 3
Played the whole second half but did little to persuade Tucak to start him against Egypt. But if the worse comes to the worst, he might start in the place of Gaseruka.
Albert Ngabo – 2
Saidi Abedi – 2
Had little time to make an impact in his nine-minute cameo role.
What an analysis. Iam being won over to really follow football especially that iam from the golfing comunity.that said,country comes first in this case,chipolopolo. Like everyone else pointed out, a win is a win and in the end, zambia got the 3 points. my more serious concern is that of the pitch….i am not an analysist in football, but i seemed to observe zambia trying to play ground football but for the bad pitch,they were forced to play in the air to which most times they lost advantage. if we can work on the pitch,it will be much better. perhaps explains why they did so well in egypt…the pitch allowed them to play a good passing game.otherwise,familiarity breeds complecency-this is not time to think we are there yet.the journey just started.all the best to zambia!
Mbesuma says sorry to nation
By CHISHALA MUSONDA and STEPHEN PHIRI
STRIKER Collins Mbesuma has apologised for missing a penalty in Zambia’s slender victory over Rwanda in the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup qualifier on Saturday.
“I’m sorry for what happened in the match, it wasn’t intentional. I’ll work hard to impress the coach and the football family given a chance next time,” a regretful Mbesuma said.
Rwanda goalkeeper, Jean Claude Ndoli, stopped Mbesuma’s calmly taken spot kick in the 36th minutes, three minutes after replacing Noah Chivuta.
The former Roan United forward requested not to be ridiculed for the incident at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe and asked the football fraternity for support.
“I have played my football to date because of the support of everyone in the football family. They have helped me reach this far,” he said in an interview at Mukuba Hotel on Saturday night before the national team broke camp.
“But these things happen in football.”
Last week, South African club Mamelodi Sundowns discarded Mbesuma after spending a year at the club. He started nine matches and scored four goals.
On his substitution after earlier coming in for Chivuta, Mbesuma said: “This happens in football, I do understand why the coach did that.”
He was rested for James Chamanga.
The Chipolopolo regroup this evening at Lusaka’s Southern Sun Ridgeway.
And former international, Emmanuel Zulu, has put his weight behind Mbesuma saying he is still a great player for the Chipolopolo.
“He is a player who has done a lot for Zambia, scored crucial goals and should not be judged for failure on this incident. He needs every support to get back to his usual self,” the former under-20 World Youth Championship star said.
Zulu said Chipolopolo coach Herve Renard needs to help lift Mbesuma’s psychological condition on and off the field adding that it might have a devastating effect on the striker if not quickly handled.
“There are so many factors to this, he’s had his contract not renewed and now there is talk for the penalty miss. He needs the support of everyone to get back to his self,” Zulu said.
Meanwhile, midfielder Rainford Kalaba has dedicated the goal he scored against Rwanda to Renard.
“ Days before we played Rwanda, the coach asked me to score for him.
I’m proud to dedicate the goal to the coach because he has played a part in my career,” Kalaba said.
He also thanked defender Emmanuel Mbola for providing the cross.
“When Mbola was crossing the ball, I was far but I managed to meet it and by luck it went in,” Kalaba said.
He also urged Mbesuma to be strong and face the future with confidence.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
It seems as if the players have already started making the change. I like the support by Mbesuma’s fellow players (kalaba and Emanuel Zulu).
Ba Muzo,
You are always a genius. But like always i beg to differ on Sinkala who is judged not on games he has played for the senior national team but what he did in 1999 and in Germany. In all fairness we have not benefited from his skills in the run up to the 2002 and 2006 World Cup qualifiers and i just fail to understand why we should make it so obvious for him. If HR sees the need i don’t mind but if he doesn’t there is no way we should ever use it as an excuse when the player has never been there for Zambia. Some circles blame Great Kalu, but Kalu isn’t Zambia and Mulonga was at the helm and could have over-ruled any anti-Sinkala stance
What we need are not defenders or midfielders but strikers, so this Sinkala debate must be buried. Talk of including Clifford, Kola and Boyd Mwila. I think in the next game, the team that finished against Rwanda must start: Mweene, Mbola, Musonda, Nyambe, Banda, Kasonde, Felix, Chris, Jacob, Kalaba and Chamanga. Fwayo can even start and Felix come in as supersub.
Mbesuma should not be blamed for missing that penalty. In the time that he played he did better than Singuluma and Noah Chivuta who spent the entire time on the field without a single short at goal.
wel its not too late, we have a chance looking at things we had a narrow win whilst alges had a amasing win.this was a learning session,so lets pull our socks and score goes.the game agains alges needs goes than win lets score. go zambia go….
Ba muzo,
Nuff respect for your spectacular analysis of the last Game at Chililabombwe’s burial grounds. You tackled every angle of the game and almost all the players.
However, among the comments, one learned comrade blamed HR for benching Jacob. I presume the contributor’s assumption was to gather more goes for the team so that Zambia may have a chance of being on the top of the table.
I beg to differ on the ground of the sensitivity this tournament at this level. Resolved, Chipolopolo commands a great deal of respect in the continent but that does not guarantee automated space at the prestigious 2010 world cup in RSA. I strongly believe HR was very much in order to keep his cards to his chest by not unleashing the full power of the Chipolopolo ( the bullet with no caliber) in light of the ensuing game against Algeria who have already started mind games in readiness for Zambia not Egypt. Rwanda being a weaker team of the 4, HR was right not to unleash the full force which might be used by the Algerian spies.
Right now the Algerians are plotting Zambia downfall but there plan is centered on the likes of the two Katongos, Jacob, Kalaba, and maybe Singuluma. However, they have no idea if Fwayo and Clifford Mulenga will feature and, trust me, these will be the key players in the Algerian showdown. Their dribbling ability will create more opportunities for the finishers to do the job in delivering a goal or goals. Jacob mostly runs out of steam so we don’t have to use him for a long time. We need him as a super sub after the Algerian defense is tired. All we need to do is chiefly avoid the Algerians take control and unsettle our defense.
I think HR must stop playing names. When he came he said he was not going to play names now some of the players are not performing. Felix must be on the bench in the next game, let Fwayo or Sakuwaha play. Willaiam must also replace Kasonde.
Every player has a bad day or two in their careers. There is no one single player who has not ever had a bad game so if we bench players everytime they have a bad ame we will end up with a new team for almost every game.
@Gametime12
To be honest I am still not too sure about taking a leaf out of Emma Zulu’s advise. Well they say everybody deserves a second chance and the fact that he has been through it makes him better to comment on it than others but then again hey!! its Emma Zulu we are talkin about here. King of ruin it all.
Against Algeria, we need Sakuwaha and Fwayo to open them on the wings. One thing is that Algeria will pack men behind the ball and defend, we also know that they will dive a lot and fake injuries. The advantage we have is that they will tire quickly.
Ba JChimpampwe A.K.A Uncle Bobs remember Andrew Sinkala went on international retirement after the 2000
AFCON and he came out of that and apologised to the nation.Great Kalu then recalled him and at the 2006 AFCON he was no doubt the best player in our team.After Great Kalu resigned Patrick Phiri maintained faith in the Chingola groomed midfield dynamo and when Tana was ruled out for the Congo Brazaville game sometime in 2006,Andrew was offered the captain arm band by Phiri but he (Andrew) instead recomended Chris Katongo to lead the team and thats how Chris eventually became captain(I laugh when some bloggers say that Andrew can’t play with Chris as captain).Then came the historical 3-1 victory over Bafana Bafana in SA,Sinkala again played the role of a play maker in the engine room with Isaac Chansa and the likes of Everton’s Pienar can give a better story to on how he was out played by the Bundesliga 2 player.It is also worth noting that before German giants Bayern Munich signed him, Andrew was the inspirational captain for Patrick Phiri’s 1999 under 20 team and his leadership abilities on the pitch led Nchanga Rangers to the 1998 ZPL tittle when he captained that star studded team featuring notables like Tana,Sichone,Milanzi,Chilembi,Matsauso Tembo,Mbambara etc.Like what Ba Muzo has rightly said ANDREW SINKALA is the best midfield dynamo we have produced in this post Gabon era.His club in German recently renewed his contract meaning the guy can still deliver so why this resistance to try him when we can feature his age mates like Noah Chivuta who has been warming the bench in the PSL???.Are we sure we are being fair??.Please LETS MAKE THE CHANGE
I see Saku being recalled to the final 18 to replace Mbesuma
Data!!
Well written and analyzed. That is a win we badly needed.
I’ve two points to make
1. One thing that I feel is killing our football is the poor infrastructure for example about seven players in that starting line ply their trade abroad where they are exposed to top quality playing surfaces now when they come home to play on that bumpy turf it turns to be so pathetic and difficult for them to pass the ball nicely so let’s make the change and improve on our stadia
2.The 1-0 score line to me was ok, in the sense that it will help us prepare adequately for the Algeria game, suppose we had wired Rwanda by say 5-0, ( complacency would have come in) we would have been relaxed and felt like we have already reached the Finals of SA 2010 then Algeria would have come with their tricks and surprised us at our backyard, but as it stands everyone in the team is focusing on seriousness and to “make the change” and I believe we shall beat Algeria because I have faith in our boys, in modern football there’s no mountain too high for one to climb no wonder Gabon wired Morocco at their own backyard SA/Angola please reserve some beautiful rooms for us in your top class hotels coz we are definitely coming.
Keep up the good work HR and the technical bench.
God Bless you all and all the best wishes ba Zambia
Hey guys,
Just thought i should share this with you.
An inside source tells me that Captain Katongo spent the first two days in South Africa with his wife. Do you think its right?
I agree with you that the line that finished the game should start but not with Chamanga who should be replaced by Fwayo Tembo. I have observed that Chamanga does not want to take responsibility of taking a short at goal even when he is in a good position to do so he would rather pass the ball to someone else. I dont know if I should blame Chamanga , but he was lost in the game he had been running in the same direction as Jacob.
Big Steve , I agree with your analysis on this article especially your first comment. I was suprised that people said so many bad things about Mbesuma at the game, when he did better than some players who never had any short at goal. He surely deserves a chance, Singuluma was just running around aimlessly and yet people still say he played better.
I am sure Chris came straight from Germany with his familiy since the season is over. HR must have allowed to do that. Chris is very displined, that is why he is captain, even Jomo Sono said that and made him captain at Cosmos. Unless you said it was a girlfriend or hooker.
Am glad Chamz, you are beginning to see why we all need to advise sometimes. Your level headedness is terrific. For me, i normally think with my heart than the head.
@Dinamo
Dinamo ulishibi. Great piece of informative contribution.
Uncle Bobs, you are an eternal encouragement. Thanks to you and other bloggers good comments always, we are moving on.
But on Sinkala, lets agree to disagree. Sinkala is a class act. With no disrespect to the terrific lads in the current Zambia set up, his contribution would be phenomenal if considered. ‘If.’
For those in doubt, get in touch for the South Africa-Zambia 3-1 win video to see Sinkala’s last performance for Zambia.
It is right. Atleast he was with his wife, and not mahules.
The stadium is bad. It looks like Edwin Imboela.
My friend you cant blame FAZ on this one. The CRAPPED and PATHETIC MMD government is to blame for Zambia not having a decent modern stadium. Ala chansoni sana.
I think that Clifford is required to stretch the Algerians on the wings. He also packs a good shot. The beauty with Clifford is that he can do anything with the ball. Another player who can stretch the algerians is Jonas Sakuwaha. With his pace, he can tomment them. Renard should indeed make some change.
for Mbesuma, i think he has himself to blame. He has failed to tick at Sundowns and now the national team.
Ba Dinamo,
True to your word,if you have followed my argument all along, i have said that Sinkala should be called as a privelege of the HR and not as a right as it would like to be exhibited. As to being the best and considering the number of games he has played i don’t know and to me it sounds subjective than objective. 2006 him being best player again i don’t know as i remember he was benched in the first game by Great Kalu for Lameck Ndhlovu (a tactical error i should admit) and he was just above average and not exceptional as Zambia was to bow out in the first round-nothing to write home about any Zambian player. I would still encourage Mr Reliable with he one touch soccer and marking (Sinkala may lack physical prensence relatively. I repeat if HR calls him i have no qualms but if he doesn’t, it won’t make me lose sleep like i would to Charles Musonda, Jericho Shinde, Jani Simulambo, Evans Katebe, Dominic “Kabulubulu” Mutale, Willie Phiri, Richard Stephenson, Richard Sikanyika, Gentile in later years, Boniface Simutowe etc. most of who never made it to Europe but would rate above Sinkala on any other day.
Let’s just say Sinkala will be a bonus to the team and not a show stopper. Just my opinion any way albeit respecting yours.
all the best zambia gud job for smashing,nailing,white washing the young boys.waiting for more goals frm algerian game
Spectic its true: Kola, Mayuka scored the goals before HR came.
Good article Ba Muso. Algeria are very much beatable. All we need to do is to play attacking football from the start and throw everything at them from the start. The good thing about playing Arabs is that they tend to tire out as the game progreses. Its 2-0 to Zambia with Mbesuma destroying them-that is if he will be given a chance. Remember the way he made them crawl at Arthur Davies when he played as a guest player against Raja Cansablance in the Cup winners cup?
Good article Ba Muso. Algeria are very much beatable. All we need to do is to play attacking football from the start and throw everything at them from the start. The good thing about playing Arabs is that they tend to tire out as the game progreses. Its 2-0 to Zambia with Mbesuma destroying them-that is if he will be given a chance. Remember the way he made them crawl at Arthur Davies when he played as a guest player against Raja Cansablance in the Cup winners cup?
Uncle Bobs you have reminded me of Richard ‘Sharp’ Sikanyika a great player who never got a chance to player at national level.He was sharp like his nickname in the Power 90’s engine room and his partnership with the likes of Wisdom Chansa,Aggrey Chiyangi,Kenan Simambe,Douglas Mwamba or Simon Mwansa made Linos Makwaza and Wedson Nyirenda’s striking partnership become one of the best in continental club football in the 1991 season.I will never forget when ‘Sharp’ Sikanyika scored straight from the corner kick in the 1991 Mandela cup final at independo.MHSRIP
If Sinkala is recalled then Ian Bakala and others should be recalled too. I think We have a good team, like someone said its better to play bad and win than play good and lose. Dinamo and others I hope you are not suggesting that We include other players in the upcoming game. We will clashing with Algeria in 2 weeks time. Not enough time to start assessing players. Dinamo I hope you also recall Paul Chela (however you spell his name) who was a top scorer in the league but failed to tick in the national team from time to time.
I think my point was well explained in my earlier comments.Paul Chellah???????? I guess you are joking.Cheers