October 29, 2009
With the prize money staked at ZAR300, 000, the local guns started the match on a high note and got a deservedly goal in the sixth minute after Enoch Sakala’s shot was diverted by Hichani Himonde’s minimal touch in a goal mouth scramble as the Chipolopolo Boys took the lead.
The boys from Lusaka continued to press forward with Green Buffaloes playmaker Sebastian Mwansa controlling the midfield while eventual man of the match Allan Mukuka and Luka Lungu tormenting the ‘Black Mambas’ on the flanks. On the half hour mark, Lungu disposed a Mozambique defender and laid the ball to Sakala who shot straight into the palms of the goalkeeper.
After the break, the Frenchman kept faith in his players but the lads could have paid off the price for allowing the opposition back into the game had it not being for a grit defensive display from Himonde. Sensing danger the Frenchman introduced Kabwe Warriors’ Maunga Kabuku for Lungu and pushed Mwansa wide to the left to maintain his favoured 4-3-3 formation. Kabuku’s introduction still could not neutralize the Mamba’s attack and again, the Frenchman brought on Kebby Hachipuka for the ineffective Henry Banda-thus he had three defensive midfielder; Hachipuka, Kabuku and Stoppilla Sunzu on the pitch.
Zambia last won the Cosafa Cup in 2006 but the Chipolopolo Boys have been runners up in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
With about 10 minutes to full time, Felix Sunzu Jr came on for Sakala in a straight forward swap and the ex-Konkola Blades hitman got Zambia’s second goal. Sunzu Jr picked up the ball from Thomas Nyirenda diagonal switch on the right flank and played a simple touch to Mukuka. The Zanaco winger did his trade mark stopovers before he turned in a teasing cross which the lanky Sunzu Jr connected with his header to nod it home for Zambia’s second and book a date with the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Zambia Line up: Jacob Banda- Jimmy Chisenga, Hichani Himonde, Dennis Banda, Thomas Nyirenda- Henry Banda (Kebby Hachipuka), Stoppilla Sunzu, Sebastian Mwansa- Allan Mukuka, Enoch Sakala (Felix Sunzu Jr), Luka Lungu (Maunga Kabuku).
Unused Subs: Joshua Titima (gk), Percy Kisonge, Charles Siyingwa, Jimmy Ndhlovu, Mwelwa Sakala
Man of the Match (Cosafa): Allan Mukuka
Man of the Match (Zamfoot): Hichani Himonde
37 Comments on "Zambia to meet Zim in a ‘dream final’"
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mose on Thu, 29th Oct 2009 9:14 PM
GREAT JOB HOPE WE CAN BUILD FROM NOW AND WIN THE TROPHY THEN BEAT RWANDA IN THE LAST QUALIFIER
Anonymous on Thu, 29th Oct 2009 9:59 PM
Well done Chipolopolo and HR for the win. The match against BOBs boys will be tough indeed especially that they are playing at home. I just pray zambia will account for themselves well. Now if we can qualify for the Africa Cup, and also do well in Cecafa, i think HR will have redeemed himself for bungling World Cup qualification. I also would like to see some continuity from the players giving a good account of themselves at Cosafa, ameriorating the mistakes, coming up with a formidable Cecafa team and then a resolute Africa Cup team (assuming we make it)…Well done again…more goals next time!!! open play and no penalties i hope…
Richie on Thu, 29th Oct 2009 10:23 PM
This is good for us,atleast we know that we are still capable of winning.Hats off to the lads for this victory & the trophy can be ours as long as we pull the right strings.Am sure abena Renard is feeling good & i want to congratulate him thus far at tourney.All the best as we meet zim on sunday.
Mpundu on Thu, 29th Oct 2009 10:55 PM
Great job guys….We are still behind in my opinion we need to beat Zim…I was watching them and yes we can beat them….
Sibs on Thu, 29th Oct 2009 11:23 PM
Maunga Kabuku plays for which team? I like his first touch and ball control. He seems to me a good player who needs to be given enough game time.
Anonymous on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 3:53 AM
Mauunga Kabuku =Kabwe Warriors
desire on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 8:55 AM
i thought the second goal was an own goal!either way it doesn’t matter
its go chipolopolo and win the wholething.
Uncle che on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 9:42 AM
I Still wonder why the coach likes playing with two defensive midfielder.I think if we have comeback as a power house on the continent we need to start beating teams like Mozambique and Namibia convincingly.Guys i don’t no if you have noticed this about our team lately: we usually play well in the first half but when it comes to the second have i don’t no what the coach tells the players because the team suddenly changes from being offensive to being defensive.e.g Algeria game,Egypt,Namibia,Mozambique and i hope this doesn’t happen in Rwanda coz we will be out! We are usually hanging by a tread till the last minute
Big Steve from SA on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 9:45 AM
Zamfoot I agree with the Cosafa selection of man of the match, Allan was simply outstanding. His the player that made the difference. Frankly we are the best team at this tournament though we also have the issue of missing way to many chances and not making opposition goal keepers work enough. Mozambique have been a better side than Zimbabwe in this tournament and if we could beat them Zimbabwe should be slightly easier. I am not 100% comfortable with Jimmy Chisenga and Luka Lungu. I think these two should not make the starting line up on Sunday, still a couple of technical aspects of their game that need attention. The 4-3-3 is working for us cause even though the Mozambicans had 1 more player than us in midfield they could not entirely control it because of the strength of Stoppila. I am smack in the middle of exams right now but these results have helped reduce the stress. Ba Zambia Iyeee!!!!!
Amuna Onzuna on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 9:56 AM
Yes,
I’ve also noticed that we dont play well in the second half and also when we are leading.HR should tell this Guys that the best way to defend is to attack and play the ball in enemy territory,and not what we see.I know HR was a defender,just like George ‘Chicken’ but they should have attacking mentality as well,not just defending.
Billy on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 10:27 AM
Uyu umwaiche Enock Sakala alikwata fi potential sana kabili nga ayibikapo fye kuti akalipa sana. He can be our next ‘Bubble’ Malitoli. Nomba alipa slow sana. Kind of lazy chap. Mukuka ninshi umwaiche. Ka Sebastian kakali. Ninshi HR tamwitila ku main national team?
The score line is fine, but I was not very impressed with the display.
Billy on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 10:30 AM
Meant to say… Mukuka ninshimbi umwaiche.
Vincent Numbwa on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 10:46 AM
Well done boys.
If we can not appreciate small Victories like this, then we may not appreciate efforts of our Lads even if they won the World Cup.
Lets beat Zimbambwe on Sunday and Rwanda thereafter.
Unza 1 on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 10:46 AM
I agree with Uncle che, in the 2nd half the boys come out playing sluggish,back pass futball. And Sebastian is a good crosser but i fail to remember seeing him make a takle or burst forward.So i cnt rate him.What amazes me in Zambian football is that we dont knw the use of the through ball technique.I fail to recall a moment in tha game wen we used that.Or even a chip into the 18.Strange! The first half against moz was a bit sluggish and boring especially after the goal but the 2nd half seemed to come to life.The direct opposite of our recent matches
smog on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 11:05 AM
Enock Sakala????
Connie on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 11:14 AM
I agree with you too. Allan was a wonder to watch. I had to wait for the game again on Supersport 3. I like the 4-3-3 formation Renard has come up with maybe we can now see more Goals in the Players.
The Doctor on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 11:18 AM
A good result for the boys yet tactically i dont feel that the 4-3-3 formation the frenchman favours is good for our players.In most periods of the game like always he played with one striker upfront in the name of Enoch Sakala and encouraged luka lungu and allan to join in the attack and provide assist to the lone striker.Am assuring you if we meet a good side will would not have won the game.In the past matches we have seen Mbesuma and Jacob play as lone strikers i dont really know why he prefers this kind of approach.
Yes the 4-3-3 is not a bad formation and has worked well for teams like Barcelona,sometimes Spain.yet we have to note that it demands to have good wingers who are precise to provide better closes for a clinical striker like the way allan did,these wingers should have good ability to score goals as well.The other option is to use better strikers who can cordinate well.Eto,Henry and Messi were the three target men for Barcelona last season,this is just an example.all the three a good scorers.
HR’s Team
———————————-Jacob B———————————————–
Thomas N—————–HH————–Dennis B————-Chisenga
————————————-Stoppilla——————————————-
—————-Henry B—————————————Sebastian———-
Allan———————————————————————Luka lungu
——————————-Enoch Sakala—————————————-
Doc’s Team
——————————————Jacob——————————————-
Thomas——————HH——————–DB———————-Chisenga
——————————–Stoppilla———Sebastian—————————
Allan—————————————————————————-Henry B
—————————–Sunzu—————–Enoch——————————-
Chamz on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 11:23 AM
I think, they were careful not to have Sunzu get a second yellow, I am sure he will start on Sunday. Zimbabwe is not all that good, but Zim can shoot from distance, we must not defend too deep, to allow them shots at goal. We need to win this cup, for the sake of soccer.
chipolopolo 1 on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 11:44 AM
Congrates to the Guys!!!! one thing i like with the cosafa cup is that it brings out new players !!! Allan Mukuka ,Thomas Nyirenda and luka Lungu are names will be hearing of more….but i think our best player at the Cosafa is felix Sunzu Jr …..
demesi on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 12:31 PM
allan is bad news,hope he ll be playing more oftenly.
The Doctor on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 12:50 PM
Red Arrows vs Zesco tommorow at nkoloma stadium.it will be a nice game.Arrows supporters ichimwela pipo though will miss Chisenga and Jimmy Zesco allefwa 2 zero
Seen from afar on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 1:15 PM
Good write up ba Zamfoot. What is good to read is that HR has made the right substitutions, ones that inspire confidence in the team when they need it. I don’t mind defensive midfielders, all this means is that we are slower to attack than we might be if we had “offensive” midfielders i think. At least they steady the ship and we can go on from there. As the guys above are saying, maybe we sit back a little, i don’t know if it’s intentional or not. It is impossible to be in attack for the entire game so… Glad to hear HH and co stood up to the challenge…
It will be difficult to beat the Warriors in Zim for the trophy, but they will have the pressure as they will be expected to win so we’ll see. We just need to focus on execution as the team has been doing.
shootist monk on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 1:51 PM
we are fed up with winnig ka cosafa. can we plan 4 getting africa cup then going 2 brazil 2014 than this cheap trophy. i hope HR and Kalu wont praise themselves over an trophy as far as fifa is concerned.
FIRE RENARD AFTER AFRICA CUP
shonger. the destroy on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 3:09 PM
Merits to CHipo, the boys.
my many worry is that renard his speaks are not of a coach.from the time i started hearing from his words to the nation working on duty. his words are negative and fearful for the unknown. that is why is not stable interm of many the selection for the team. is mabojabend without realising that the country employed him so that he himself can make the best team from his own.
in short a man like him is coward.
therefore we need a good coach that motivate the players for the bettement than demotivating them.
Mercybok to chipo boys in final we see u.
work hard.
Anonymous on Mon, 2nd Nov 2009 6:07 AM
Zambia lost again when it mattered.