August 1, 2009
**Chris ‘Tsunami’ Katongo scored in the 45th minute for Arminia Bielefeld in a first round German Cup game. The goal in the 45th minute gave Bielefeld a 2-0 lead over SpvGG Unterhaching, as they progressed to the next round. Full Players Abroad review next week.**
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Zesco United last night suffered a set back in their quest for a spot in the semi-finals of the lucrative Orange CAF Champions League when they succumbed 1-0 to Al-Hilal of Sudan in the second game of the league series played in sweltering heat at the packed 42 000 plus Omdurman Stadium in Khartoum.
A 9th minute goal by Osman Altaewon that came off a controversial corner was all the Sudanese giants needed to mount the summit of Group A as Zesco clearly were left to rue some shocking refereeing calls by Benin’s Koffie Codja and their own lethargic finishing.
Missing the services of the suspended Enock Sakala, Zesco posed little attacking threat in the opening exchanges with the Sudanese knitting passes easily. But as the half wore on, ’Team ya Ziko’ gained momentum and were able stretch play with Kondwani Mtonga, Matthews Chikwete and Lorient bound Jonas Sakuwaha impressing but with little penetrative ability.
Just before the end of the half Sakuwaha could have done better when he failed to connect a Rodgers Kamwandi cross.
The second half saw Zesco pressing but yet again not troubling the Sudan keeper at all. The removal of an unusually erratic Siloni Jere who failed to boss things in the middle of the park for Lottie Phiri did not pay any divendends as was the introduction of Clifford Chipalo for Jackson Mwanza.
In pockets of play, Zesco did well enough to even silence the packed arena but at times they survived by the skin of their teeth. Such was their mixed bag display which at times looked very un-cordinated in the engine room but other times caused discomfort on the Al-Hilal bench and in the stands.
The major downside to Zesco was the injury to International Nyambe Mulenga who was stretched off late in the second half to be replaced by Leonard Silungwe.
In between there was some shocking almost comical calls by the referee aided by his first assistant who was guilty of earlier gifting the Sudanese a corner that should have never been from which they got their goal.
A clasic example was when Al-Hilal got a throw in the second half. The taker threw the ball into play to no one. He ran onto the field and even made a touch with his feet and then inextricably picked it up in his hands and went to take the throw in, again!
In a nutshell though, Al-Hilal were good value for their win but Zesco certainly did not disgarce themselves. Al-Hilal now top the group as Kano Pillars take on Al-Mereikh on Sunday in Nigeria.
In a fortnight, the Zambian Champions will be at the same venue to take on Al-Mereikh.
89 Comments on "Zesco suffer setback"
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Enock on Sat, 1st Aug 2009 12:01 PM
Zesco do not have a leader in midfield, a real dorminant figure that can dictate play. They needed a Kebby Hachipuka kind of player. There is no creativity also going forward. A little bit of game time would up Lottie Phiri’s impact on the team. I like his vision, ball control and passing. His movement and ability to run at defenders distinguishes him from many an average player. Fighton must be cursing himself for not utilising the transfer window to beef up his stricking dept. He should have negotiated with zanaco for Kabamba to feature for them during continenetal games. Remember Banfuchile did it on Mbesuma. You can even talk to Songwe who was offloaded.
Enock on Sat, 1st Aug 2009 12:13 PM
Beza, my suggestion is that we propose what the coach can possibly do to avert those heart-aches rather than just shoot the guy.
amos mumba on Sat, 1st Aug 2009 1:10 PM
Zesco cant go any where in this competion!Our players are too average.If you compare with the teams we had in the 80′s,90′s,that Sudanese side would have been slaughtered alive.No wonder we have an average performing National side.Instead of improving on their last game ,they played a worse game with no attempt at goal in the entire second half.Do the players know it is a Million dollars at stake i wonder?
Leaders of Africa on Sat, 1st Aug 2009 2:16 PM
dear amos mumba
whom do you want to slaughter alive? maybe you don’t much about african football and maybe this is the first time you hear about sudan.
i’m not gonna blame you coz you don’t the history of the sudanese football.
go and try to find some informatin about the sudanese football in 1970s then come back and put remarks on this website coz now you look like ignorant. actually you made me laugh alot when you said you would have slaughtered if so so.
don’t you remember last year when we beat here in sudan and made draw 1:1 in your capital losaka!
Jc on Sat, 1st Aug 2009 2:48 PM
ZESCO needs real strikers. I will repeat what i have said before. There are no strikers in Zambia and teams like ZESCO, POWER, and INDEED ZANACo should seriusly be looking at the regional market especially DRC congo. Simukonda knows very well that has team has no strikers and i wonder why he was loud mouthed. Next he will put the blame on the ref, but thanks to TV, we watched the match.
nsomba on Sat, 1st Aug 2009 3:00 PM
@Leaders of africa which statement are you responding to ?I think you are the one who needs to get some information about encounters between Zambian an Sudanese sides because at national level you have only managed to beat us once in the last thirty years at club level its been a fifty a fifty situation .So my sudanese friend get your facts right before you gloat senselessly on our blog
nsomba on Sat, 1st Aug 2009 3:12 PM
@leaders of africa
Below is list of champions league winners and I dont see any sudanese side but for your information nkana red devils were finalist and semifinalist in the early nineties .I know at the moment you sudanese have the money but for us we use our own locally groomed talent we dont depend on nigerian or ghanain talent or financial clout to further our champions league aspirations
6 Wins
Al-Ahly
5 Wins
El Zamalek
3 Wins
Raja Casablanca
Canon Yaoundé
Hafia Conakry
2 Wins
Asante Kotoko
Enyimba
JS Kabylie
TP Mazembe
1 Win
Wydad Casablanca
FAR Rabat
ASEC Abidjan
CARA Brazzaville
Étoile Sahel
Club Africain
Espérance Tunis
Hearts of Oak
Ismaily
MC Algiers
Orlando Pirates
Oryx Douala
Entente Plasticiens Sétif
Stade Abidjan
Union Douala
AS Vita Club
Alexander Liwana,RSA on Sat, 1st Aug 2009 4:53 PM
I am also of the view that if Nkana of the 1990 were to play these Sudanese it would have been a massacre .We need to go back to the drawing board for our soccer in Zambia because we are just an average team like Rwanda or Malawi is now.
Gametime12 on Sat, 1st Aug 2009 8:16 PM
The only mistake that Zesco made was that they failed to utilize what is called “home ground” advantage. They should have beat kano Pillars at home, it is really difficult to beat a team at home. By the way did you notice how that stadium was packed? that really helps the home team, Zambian has no real die hard fans. Look at the teams that do well internationally, they have hooligan’s for fans. Look at England, Germany, only to mention a few those fans are serious when it comes to football. This goes back to Ba Muzo’s plea for us to change, then everything else will change. I now see how our boys can be under pressure when playing at home, we have spectators for fans.
Gametime12 on Sat, 1st Aug 2009 8:17 PM
You win some you lose some, but always win at home
Gametime12
Mabbwana on Sat, 1st Aug 2009 10:09 PM
I also didnt watch the game but I should say its very unfortunate Zesco lost.Leaders of Africa didnt do much research I guess, though we should agree that some Sudanese teams have had better runs in this competition than us in the near past.
I think lets try to look ahead and see how Zesco can dig themselves out of this hole instead of looking back at what Nkana could have done.
himlee on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 9:01 AM
hey pipo how true is it that chris scored for Arminia Bielefeld, afriend called me to say he was playing y/day 4 sundowns in SA some body to shad light
himlee on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 9:02 AM
i mean a friend and nt afriend sorry
Justice Kafusha on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 12:18 PM
There is something wrong with Zambian football. Bushe why don’t former players like Musonda, Stone Nyirenda, M’siska and Johnstone never want to contribute to Zed soccer after all that is how they found there way to Europe. Pay back time bane. They are so silent.
Justice Kafusha on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 12:56 PM
Chris Katongo played yesterday and scored the second goal in his clubs win over Unterhaching in the Germany Cup first round. Chris is still at the Germany club and is playing as a striker. He has scored 2 goals in the last 2 games
Justice Kafusha on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 1:03 PM
Jacob Mulenga and his new club got a flying start to the new dutch season as the y beat RKC Waalwijk away by a goal to nil (1-0). Jacob played the full game Match winner was Van Wolfswinkel who scored the only goal of the match in the 3rd minute.
Cheers lads
Justice Kafusha on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 1:06 PM
Just for information Kalaba’s Braga were beaten 2-1 at home by Elfsborg of Sweden in the Europe league game played last thursday. I do not know whether kalaba featured? but will find out
Justice Kafusha on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 1:28 PM
Jacob Mulenga is a good player with the right coach and partner. Singuluma, Kabamba, Chris and myslef can all partner Jacob. hahaha did I include myself at 45, yaba. I am getting excited. Sinks, Kabamba, Chitu, HH, Njovu, Jonas and Clifford, what an addition. I cant wait
Sibs on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 1:30 PM
Tough luck to Zega. They just need to pull themselves up and focus on their next game. Though like most of the guys have said Zesco is supposed to make use of their home games. If you can’t win at home then forget about qualifying for the next stage(semis).
Justice Kafusha on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 1:40 PM
Good point and that is why we are now living on hope regard our National team inspite of funding even from the President
Leaders of Africa on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 3:16 PM
i think your team is not ready and experienced enough to move forward in this compitition. so, i think zesco is not going to get more than 3 points in this compitition or maybe 5. but, generally i think it is a big achievement for zesco to reach this stage.
Leaders of Africa on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 3:32 PM
nsomba!
Al-hilal was finalist twice 1987 and 1992 and semifinalist more than once and every year appears in the quarter finanlist and Al-marrikh won the cup once and in the national level we won the african cup once, what did you win??! . so no comparison between you and us!
last year Al-hilal beat zesco 2:0 here in khartoum and 1:1 in losaka and i think the same is going to happen to zesco this year but, this time zesco is gonna lose more than once coz Al-marrikh is waiting there to gain one more victory for sudan over zesco!
Justice Kafusha on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 3:59 PM
So what
Justice Kafusha on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 4:01 PM
@Leaders of Africa
losaka we chipumbu we
moffat on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 5:17 PM
My comments are to those Zambians who are saying Zesco United is not going anywhere, of course we are not going anywhere because we are already somewhere high. Look, we are not going to give excuses for not beating Kano Pillars at home or losing to Al Hilal. Zesco are right now playing football at the highest level next only to the Africa Cup of Nations and that is a very big achievement for Zambia. Every coach will say things that portray what the team has been doing in training, have you ever heard a coach say ‘my team is not ready and so we will lose’? Of course we need to do better when we have a scoring opportunity and of course our strikers need to be take their chancesand convert them into goals. No Zambian team has ever played in the group stage in its current format except Zesco. When a team loses, everybody must be behind it and encourage the team. This is a national duty and we need national encouragement, some clubs have tried to go past just the first stage for more than five times and failed. Forget what the Sudanese are saying about Zambian clubs, its only us Zambians who can raise our own game and support Zesco in this campaign. Together we can do it. This does not mean that the team must not be criticised, far from it,a winning team has everybody on the same side. We are heartened by the fact that some clubs have offered moral support to Zesco because thet realise that our gain is their gain too. Do not write us off just yet.
Gametime12 on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 7:08 PM
Well Ba Justice how did Singuluma perform?
Anonymous on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 9:54 AM
Appiah, Muntari, Kingston return to face Zambia
Last Updated: Monday, 3 August 2009, 7:10 GMT Previous Page
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Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is on target to increase competition for regular places in the Black Stars line-up having invited hitherto untouchables back into the team.
Captain Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari and Laryea Kingston have joined the squad that crushed Mali and Sudan in June’s World Cup qualifiers.
The squad will face Zambia in a friendly in nine days’ time.
The trio missed the qualifiers in June for various reasons but in their absence youngsters like Kwadwo Asamoah, Opoku Agyemang and Prince Tagoe excelled.
The Black Stars secured massive away wins over Mali and Sudan and now Rajevac has boosted his squad with the three key players to play the Chipolopolo in London.
The game at Brisbane Road, home of Leyton Orient, which is scheduled for 12 August will see the likes of Richard Kingson, John Pantsil, John Mensah and in-form Matthew Amoah in action.
The Ghana 18-man squad includes two on standby – Haminu Draman and Eric Bekoe will be called in if there is a last-minute withdrawal.
The Black Stars are comfortably sitting on top of Group Five of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers with a perfect record and a win against Zambia will further enhance their reputation as the toughest team on the continent so far this year.
Even though the two sides are preparing for their next World Cup qualifiers in September for Chipolopolo coach Renard Herve there is more at stake.
The Frenchman was a physical trainer for Ghana – a notion he vehemently rejects as he claims he was the assistant to Frenchman Claude Le Roy just at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.
Herve now sees the game in London as an opportunity to show Ghana that his coaching talent was not appreciated in the West African country.
A convincing win over the Black Stars will make Ghanaians stand up and take notice but Serbian coach Rajevac wants to keep up the winning momentum in his squad which should make the game exciting.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Richard Kingston (Wigan Athletic, England), George Owu (Al Masry, Egypt)
Defenders : John Paintsil (Fulham, England), Samuel Inkoom (Basel FC, Switzerland), Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), John Mensah (Lyon, France), Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland) Isaac Vorsah (Hoffeinham, Germany)
Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Unattached), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy) Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Laryea Kingston, (Hearts, Scotland) Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd, Qatar), Haminu Draman (Russia)
Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Mathew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Prince Tagoe (Hoffeinham, Germany) and Eric Bekoe (Egypt)
Big Steve from SA on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 10:20 AM
This will be a tough one and as usual just when you expect it to be tough for the lads, they will go out and beat Ghana convincingly but then will come and strugle against Rwanda when you expect them to walk over. Just watch the space.
Gametime12 on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 10:30 AM
I wonder if there will be a lot of scouts at this high profile friendly against Ghana. I’m sure they will be out to look for talent from the Black Stars.
Big Steve from SA on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 10:34 AM
The game being in England I think scouts should be there by the dozen. Obviously more focus will be on the black stars but should one of our boys put on a outstanding performance we could see at least one of our boys going for trials.
Concerned on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:26 AM
Zambia will lose this one against Ghana but will win in Algeria by whatever scoreline.
Georgia Russia on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:47 AM
it will be a tricky one.but one good thing is we playing a strong team and i dnt care if we win or loose,i wud prefer we loose so that we knw our weak link.
Big Steve from SA on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 12:34 PM
Hopefully Chris gets a hatrick and some premeirship team yanks him out of second division Germany. If players like Zongo and Happy Jele are about to make it into the premiership then a player of Chris’ quality should be picked without even trial.
Anonymous on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 1:32 PM
For Zambia to have players in Europe, we need to qualify for WC. Just look at the no of SA players going to Europe after confederation?
Whisper on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 1:46 PM
Guys, there will be scouts there. Don’t worry I am already working on it
.
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 2:01 PM
It will not be a question of scouts but a question of how good our players will perform
Anonymous on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 2:32 PM
Dont you know that chris belongs to history?
Seen from afar on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 7:29 PM
There are many showcases for African players these days, but the scouts don’t bite at anything they are looking for very accurate professional players who can carry their own at that level. It will take more than one game and a hat trick for the scenario ba Big Steve describes to come true i feel.
We might gain some awareness, but i won’t be holding my breathe for signings off the back of this.
Anonymous on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:48 PM
Dreams are made of these …
Kuka on Tue, 4th Aug 2009 4:26 AM
Good game ba FAZ. Encourage HR to bend a little on player selection. Include Clifford, Sakuwaha, Isaac Chansa,Sinkala, Chris in the first team.
Amuna Onzuna on Tue, 4th Aug 2009 11:42 AM
Its not a setback,Nizofunila izo.Why are the strikers not doing their job?.I think,its time that the coaches started making these chaps a fine every time they fail to score.Or he can make them do flog-jumps,or 20-40 laps in the running track.These will make them start doing their job in their department.
Baba on Tue, 4th Aug 2009 11:30 PM
You said ‘flog’ jumps amuma? Wrong, it’s English, it’s frog! Probably angry, forgiven. Toothless strikers yes. We need scorers.
MG on Thu, 6th Aug 2009 10:11 AM
lets give Zambia ful support,its our team call all the proffetion not little Mbesuma who spends all is time on the bench becomes beta than isaac chansa or Cliford Mulenga,lets not play names but fitness of the players.we can win the rest and qualify to the world cup only with open hearts and ful support
Anonymous on Thu, 6th Aug 2009 10:13 AM
ya lets invite all the players@Kuka