November 26, 2009
Emmanuel Mbola was set to attend trials at CSKA Moscow
Russian giants CSKA Moscow has expressed interest in international left back Emmanuel Mbola and the 2005 UEFA Cup winners were eager to have a look at the highly rated teenager this week but unfortunately Chipolopolo Boys coach Herve Renard had ‘refused permission to release’ the player.
Mbola who plies his trade in Armenia where he helped his club FC Pyunik Yerevan to a league title early this month has been in the country since Zambia’s goalless draw with Rwanda.
According to sources close to Zambianfootball.net, Mbola’s pending trials were agreed in October between Pyunik and CSKA.
“It was something which was confirmed back in October when Juande Ramos (former Seville, Spurs and Real Madrid coach) was still the coach. The CSKA Sporting Director really wanted the club to have a close look at Emma (Mbola) before making the decision of signing him.
“But since he was with the national team, the agents’ representative in Zambia tried to get permission from Renard but he said no,” the source said
In the turn of the events: Renard left out Jonas Sakuwaha from the Rwanda game after the Lorinet coach (and Agents) complained to him that Sakuwaha will lose his place if he joined the national team camp. Before the Cosafa Cup in Zimbabwe, Renard had allowed Stoppilla Sunzu to travel to Israel to complete a move to Beer Sheva. Sunzu did not travel because Beer Sheva and Afrisports failed to agree terms. Hichani Himoonde is also in Zimbabwe attending trials.
“Maybe if it was one of the clubs in France, Renard could have said ”yes.” But with all due respect CSKA is a bigger club than most of his clubs in his native country.
”Mbola really wanted to go and try his luck. He is really gutted as this could have been a major stepping stone and a bit closer to his dream of one day playing in the major European Leagues like in Spain, Italy and England. He is a confident player,” the source added.
Mbola has also caught the attention of clubs from Serbia and Ukraine nwith his impressive performances for Pyunik.
French Ligue 2 side Sedan who had invited Nyambe Mulenga for trials before the Zesco United defender ruptured his knee are also believed to be tracking the youngster.
Rainford Kalaba is also said to be on Sedan’s radar.
Both Kalaba and Mbola will miss Zambia’s opener against Tunisia due to suspension.
Mbola was supposed to spend about 2 weeks at the three times Russian Champions who are competing in the UEFA Champions league and return to Zambia and that could have meant that missing the Cecafa Senior Challenge.
Most of Zambia’s foreign based players will be linking with the Chipolopolo Boys during the Christmas break as they gear up for January’s African Cup of Nations in Angola.
Is Herve Renard right not to allow Emmanuel Mbola attend trials at CSKA Moscow? Have your Say
64 Comments on "CSKA Moscow expresses Mbola interest"
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Sibs on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 10:43 AM
No HR should have allowed the boy to go. This was an opportunity for the boy CSKA are a big team. Last night the beat Wolfsburg the German champions in the Champions League. Unless HR has something big planned for the boy not French ligue 2 team awe.
Fifa on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 10:59 AM
I dont seem to understand HR s role in Zambia,let Mbola be advised by his club and Manager whilest HR should concentrate on improving the naional team game,listen to the fans and the players themselves as i believe thats why he is in Zambia.he HR is not working in his country ,let him allow others to try in different countries of their preference.(HR one can make it, if he tries regardless of country and thats why you are in Zambia and not in France or your favourite super country Egypt)
Kelvin NAMIYE on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 11:10 AM
I can recall last year when Zambia were preparing for CHAN, Mbola had just sneaked out to attend trials at his current club Renard had spoken highly on the lad and he missed his services in Ivory Coast. But if CSKA Moscow where interested in Emma he would have just let the lad to attend the auditions at Moscow in order for Zambia to have exposed players in the National Team. I would not advise Emma to go to France and sign for Sedan in division two, Mbola has reached a phase of playing for a big gun Europe, Moscow could be the best destination for our young Mbola player, What a Mbola player he is and what a discovery Emma is in Zambian Football.
Ba Kalaba nabena time to play in division two French league is long gone let him continue working hard where he is loaned so that other interested clubs can spot him and have signed him permanently. All the best for the Boys in Kenya I did saw them in Cairo Road as i was reporting for work. Go Zambia Go!!
Spaks on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 11:12 AM
Mbola should be allowed to look out for his future, infact i dont see why he should even go for Cecafa, the boy has had a long season he needs to rest before the Africa Cup other wise he will not be at his best, and right after that his season opens akatusha lilali?
Big Steve from SA on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 11:18 AM
I feel for the young lad in this case, if he defies HR and simply jumps on a plane his national team days are over, if he sticks around he loses a life time chance of playing in a big team of major significance. This is obviously not the whole story to this issue as I can at least give HR credit for one thing, when the national team players get trial oportunities he always lets them go and so I dont see why he would turn away from his usual way of doing things now. There must be a catch here that the media didn’t get hold of. If Mbola becomes a superstar HR will get a large chunk of the credit so its his name as well.
Mutale on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 11:47 AM
CSKA is owned by roman Abromavich.You never know the could find him self at Chelsea one day.
Big Steve from SA on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 12:09 PM
I give HR credit for discovering this talent and I also give HR credit for the number of times he has alowed a number of players to go on trials even when he needed them to play for Zambia and this is obviously not the whole story but to somehow in some twisted way throw puches at Zamfoot is altogether wrong. How do you spring a punch at Zamfoot and even throw in the underbelt agent friend bit, Chamz C’mon. All Zamfoot have done here is given it as good as they got it they dont deserve any flack for just keeping us updated. I hope you find it in your heart to take your comment back.
daaram(Durban) on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 12:18 PM
SOME ZAMBIAN Bloggers CAN BE useless sometyms.
Zamfoot should report and not judge.
Who told u dat Emma is bn held against his wil.Pple like fallin 4lies.
Emma wants fitness.thats why he asked to join the National team.
Its disgraceful to hear pple showin hatred 4Renard.Grow up Zed pple and stop hatred 4da guy who helped emma 2b wher he is 2day.
ZAMFOOT..give us better story.Emma cud ve gone directly to Russia if he wantd trials. He doesnt nid permission coz Emma went to Armenia 4trials without HR permission..Did we insult Renard 4allowing him?
patty kasonde on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 12:19 PM
i agree that Mbola needs exposure but i think Renard is just being a responsible parent. i think mbola should remain at his present armenian club to harness his talents first before he could move to bigger teams. i think we should learn from the previous experiences where our players have signed for bigger teams but they have ended up warming the bench. in fact some of these so-called bigger teams have done more harm to our players than good.
remember how collins mbesuma’s talent was brought to its lowest when he signed for portsmouth? i also don’t need to remind you on what happened to felix at rennis. kalaba was signed on by braga but they have just kept on loaning the player to other teams, and he doesn’t even feature regularly for the ka team he was loaned to.
so i think this should serve as a lesson to our players not to rush into signing contracts with other teams
Romantic Monk on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 12:19 PM
I’m just wondering, why should a Proffessional Footballer like Mbola Emmanuel be subjected to trials first instead of medicals only. I guess CSKA Moscow have seen him in action where he’s playing in Armenia, I think these two countirs should be neighbours or something close.
I think HR is right by refusing, they just want to distub the lad, let him wait until after AFCON, then he’ll go without the useless trials for a Pro!!!!
Shi Chamar on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 12:25 PM
I agree with Chamz and Big Steve. Renard has always supported the boys as far as their club committments are concerned. I really do not see any reason why he would hold Mbola from attending trials at such a big club. I am sure even he would be proud to have someone that he PERSONALLY discovered from division 2 straight into the national team playing for a big club. What a discovery Emmanuel Mbola has been to Zambian football this year! he is such a breath of Fresh Air!
Justice Kafusha on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 12:27 PM
Mbola should wait until AFCON in Angola which is just in January.
Winza Sichali on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 12:30 PM
Big Steve, there are no sacred cows here. I think we encourage freedom of speech and people should express themselves freely. We all apprciate what Zamfoot does, believe me we do, But we should not have a situation where they become immune from criticism or from negative comments where others see them in a certain way. There was similar concern on the headline “Renard u turns on chamanga”. We also have a responsibility to guard against being led on to express comments as viewed by zamfoot. What we want to maintain is free speech, without malice. I dont think Chamz owes anyone an apology !
Justice Kafusha on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 12:34 PM
From what I have seen of Mbola he is likely to be the first Zambian player to play for one of the bigger teams like Man Utd, Barcelona, Real Madrid, FC Porto, Chelsea, Juve, Inter etc. The boy is just super. The boy should just take it easy and remain focused
ribs on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 12:55 PM
cska idea of looking at mbola is time wasting, the club should come up openly and sign on him if truely they have interest after all they have been watching him and can still follow him at cecafa games.the boy is superb
zala pa algiers on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 1:18 PM
@Justice Kafusha
i totally agree wit u ba mudala ba justice.let the boy wait for afcon its jst a month away.hr haters da bring down syndrome wont take us anywere as a nation.i must say we r lucky that we have a coach who can advice da players on transfers.mbola as talent and at da stage were he has reachd he needs consistent football.i would rather the boy takes a step at a time in his career,because the worst that would happen is him going to a club and start warming the bench.so lets hope this is a sign of many good things to come for mother zambia
Bourne on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 1:25 PM
Some Guys apa mulapopota popota chabe for the sake of it..ninshi…atase
nabo ba zamfoot i think they just write some articles in some way to look for some funny responses…!
Let the kid wait for afcon..am sure even he Mbola if he wants to play at CSKA we would have heard that he sneaked out of the country…
Russian League is not even that good..and trials are a waste of time send them DVD’s and if they want him they can come for him like my fellow sensible bloggers have stated..!!
an Mbola is still immature as a player talafikapo i wouldn’t mind if he plays in armenia for another year as move for to another club will only be good if he gets a game every weekend…not
pa Bench..
am sure we all watch football and only know that a player will only develop if he is playing week in week out..
Big Steve from SA on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 3:08 PM
CSKA moscow is not a small side, it is a big team that does big things. Lets not limit our thinking to say if a player is not playing in Spain, England, Italy or Germany then they are playing for a small league. A lot of players have very fruitfull careers without going to these leagues. A bird in hand is better than two in the bush. This is an oportunity and should be grabbed outrightly. You cant sit and wait and hope for better opportunities to come by what if this is the best you are blessed to get. What happens if he is benched at Afcon or picks up an injury at Afcon and doesn’t play, he will be crying as to why he didn’t sign with CSKA. Players like Masautso Tembo got offers to play in Lebanon and he dropped it hoping to get a better deal through the Afcon qualifiers but as we all know nothing happend. Even Perry at the last Afcon he played he was hoping to clinch something but the only got to play 20 minutes and look at his career now. Mbola should go all out and get this deal. Wenger and his scouts, Benitez and his scouts, Fergie and his scouts believe you me are far more aware of who is shinning in teams like CSKA Moscow than taking chances with players who could be once off stars at Afcon. Mbola should take the deal, he is a god player but his head should not get balloned into thinking he greater than he actually is because of the praise he gets from his country men. Him not going is obviously deeper tan the story here but even with half a chance he should be on his way.
chiti chitundu on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 3:09 PM
ba justice thats true HR in a way he is right to “hold on” to the player since there is a major tournament around the corner like the africa cup. But looking at Russia it didnt do much for kampamba ,nsofwa and even mathew booth. You kind of get stuck there. maybe finances you will be okay but for a young lad its better to take the jacob mulenga route. france 2nd tier then dutch top league. there is no ruch here. If chintu kampamba wanted to go to russia CSK moscow i would say YES let him go. But for mbola i feel lets see what happens after AFCON .its just a few weeks away!
Mutale on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 3:18 PM
I agree with you my brother.the boy should show case himself at the Afcon becaouse there will be many scouts there.@Justice Kafusha
Sibs on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 3:20 PM
Just because Jocob took route A, it does not mean Emmanuel should take the same route. The boy might play at Afcon but nothing will come out especially if we get chucked out at the Group stage. It’s true HR discovered the boy but he should not tie himself to the boy. Let Mbola make the final decision.
The Kampambas,Booth all played for small clubs in Russia.
Seen from afar on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 4:21 PM
On one hand CSKA have had plenty of time to follow Mbola, on the other they haven’t had the chance see if he is a a fit. I would say having played in Armenia, CSKA is a natural progression for him as i am not sure a straight move in a “big” team will be most beneficial at this point.
What’s important is that he is fit for Africa’s showpiece, we know he plays well, he does not need to prove anything in Kenya(Cecefa). So it is probably best he goes back to Europe and sorts things out, but it is not neccessary he attends every single trial offered to him, because it’s not fair on the youngster who’s ability is there for all to see.
Gametime12 on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 5:26 PM
I totally agree…….Good things come to those who wait, HR knows that the boy can do better than CSKA that’s why he is holding on to him. I’m sure Afcon will be a stepping stone for the young lad, Europeans will probably want to watch their opponents in the Africa cup of nations since the world cup is being hosted in Africa.
B square on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 5:59 PM
Emmanuel Mbola special boy special talent.Whatever happens the boy has talent.Thumbs up to the Fox who discovered him.
ife ndife ba zambia on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 10:24 PM
ba justice thats true HR in a way he is right to “hold on” to the player since there is a major tournament around the corner like the africa cup. But looking at Russia it didnt do much for kampamba ,nsofwa and even mathew booth. You kind of get stuck there. maybe finances you will be okay but for a young lad its better to take the jacob mulenga route. france 2nd tier then dutch top league. there is no ruch here. If chintu kampamba wanted to go to russia CSK moscow i would say YES let him go. But for mbola i feel lets see what happens after AFCON .its just a few weeks away!
kampampa distroyed himself here.he was drinking and womanising too much. russian league is better than french. cska is not a small team as many of you are saying. 3 weeks ago man u had to come from behind to draw with cska at home.
Mabbwana on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 10:31 PM
Mbola should go to CSKA and have a go their. If a window of opportunity has opened why waste time going ku CECAFA?
Bloggers here surprise me, not too long ago we had contributions from people say our players are not ambitious enough, some were highlighting to what extents the Nigeria players go to get signed. Now the guy is given an opportunity and you guys are advising him to throw it away??
Even last year when the guy went for trials in Europe, most of you were up in arms saying he should go to CHAN so that scouts see him there, despite the closing window having been so close. But how many of our players were bought despite our Bronze medal performance??? We only have Given at TP to show for. But for Mbola, he took the gamble and he is developing steadily in Europe.
If he listned to some of you here, probably he would still be wallowing in ZPL.
Let the boy take this chance if he can
I like Steves observation that their could be something more to the story of him not being allowed to go looking at HRs history on protecting players interests with them moving on.
Kk11 on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 4:37 AM
Once again zamfoot has manged to throw red meat to the wolves that are after Renard. Is renard holding on to Mbola’s passport? Was a zamfoot reporter present when Renard allegedly told Mbola he could not go? Did a Zamfoot reporter interview Mbola and he answered affirmitive to the allegations? If the answers r yes, then the question posed at the end of ur article is without a doubt legitimate. Otherwise everyone needs to stop peddling in heresay and rumour and stick with the facts. zamfoot this is agreat site and has afforded many of us a chance to voice our many concerns. However at the same time u have a responsibilty to make sure ur statements,comments or articles backed by facts otherwise u are inviting a food fight between bloggers who are objective and the self proclaimed know it all’s!! we all want Zambian football to progress, but this is not entirely a Faz, Renard or the men wearing the jersey mission. But the bloggers, reporters and oppinionators as well are liable. After all players and faz officials do frequent this site, now if all they see is continously piling on the coach, players themselves and Faz how are they supposed to bring it home? Constructive criticism is good and there has been a lot of it on the blog, but some of this tabloid stuff needs to stop, for the good of our game.
mose on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 4:54 AM
Mbola is a good player but i don’t think he is fit for CSKA RIGHT NOW 2 more year people its too soon
Asilikale on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 6:11 AM
@Zamfut
i dont know why you replyed to chamz msg,this guy chamz brngs up deliberate coments and questions,i suspect chamz is positive thinking a.K.a awe,no wonder you havent seen a.K.a coments in this blog coz hez chamz.
Hey guys Zamfut just report wht is on the ground,and you guys since you are not much updated you are used to ZNBC zamfut is stil strange to you.Many are the times have zamfut blogged but u guys fail to see a point in tht particular blog until zamfut com bak to pin point it.
In this blog HR isnt wrong,mbola cnt be forced to make a wrng decision,and ths isnt a problem of zamfut,the problm u have chamz is the love for mbola u have,naleka i can tok bend.
Maybe mbola is using HR as a spokes person maybe the argent is the one who is wrng mayb its pyunik maybe ts CSKA,maybe its u chamz whch i believe yes you are wrong,go and blog at Daily mail tht suits your coments.
Big Steve from SA on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 9:56 AM
Mabwana has said it very nicely, a lot of you guys were saying he should wait for CHAN when he was going to Armenia, how many players out of CHAN actaully made anything of the tournament? answer : NONE!!!!! Ok you may say Given got something but then again is TP a team worth holding a European offer for? Answer again : NO! Mbola lets this chance go, Zambia goae to Afcon and performs just as badly as they did in the qualifiers and are knocked out in the firt round then what for the Kid?? Let him take this chance its a bird in hand have we learned nothing at all from the CHAN experience? has that taught us nothing at all? we got a bronze and the best we did was get one player into TP Mazembe, I mean C’mon.
Asilikale on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 11:11 AM
@Chamz
Chamz nxt time dnt accuse zamfut waumfwa.
Sorry yo point isnt taken.
I totaly agree with Justice mbola cn finalise the deal nw bt go to CSK afta AFCON.
Uncle Bobs on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 12:03 PM
What has happened to respecting other people’s views? Bane, let’s co-exist as no idea is bad. Let’s learning to RESOLVE weakenesses and only REINFORCE strengths. There’s nothing wrong with us being critical with Zamfoot but what is wrong is crushing the good work they are doing. For example i will always not agree with what i feel was the ZAMFOOT impartial reporting on Sinkala issues who i don’t even rate as a GENERAL with regards to his contributions to Zambia, but that doesn’t mean i should call Zamfoot liars, hero worshippers as they are also human like me. I have had to take some arguments with Zamfoot offline and perhaps where we strongly feel Zamfoot have erred, let’s try to take matters off-line. Just an opinion that can be right or wrong.
Steven on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 4:18 PM
No need for anyone to finalize deals now. AFCON is 8 weeks away. It will be a bigger showcase for all our players. Better offers are bound to come for Mbola and the rest.. I just hope Kalu and his admin are prepared to act responsibly in helping the players get thru any complications.
Amuna Onzuna on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 5:32 PM
Zoona Mudala,Russia is not like Down South,its hard to live there,people get killed for being black.There are alot of skin heards who will intimidate the young Boy and he will end up warming the bench,eventually,he will return like Gift Kampamba( wasted Talent).Remember,Speed Kills.
sting on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 5:56 PM
This is interesting,because everyone here has his own opinion,I might say no sense but u will get some sense from my views,ifwe fwe ba bemba tutila amano uli weka tayashinguluka ikoshi.I think the young man decided to go and represent the nation in Kenya,because thats what he thought is the best for him.Other wise if he wanted he would have been there in Russia.
sting on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 6:02 PM
May someone shady more light on this issue of Mbola and Kalaba for them to miss the big and interesting game between Tunnis and Chipolopolo boyz,I rest my case
Bonaventure on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 6:16 PM
When you get 2 yellow cards it means you automatically miss the next game.
Whisper on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 7:18 PM
Bloggers, can one of you give me an example when Zamfoot have been proven to have lied? When the story about allowances broke, some of you said that it was a lie, especially when Mr Mwamelo came onto the site. Guess what. It was true!
Second point, a lot of you are saying that the boy should wait until after AFCON. Have you heard of the transfer window?! European clubs have a month long window during January when they can buy players. If we are at AFCON in January then when will he sign.
Thirdly, some are saying he will rot in the CSKA reserves. Erm, that is why they want to give him a trial. To see if he can cut the mustard that side. Even if he does go into the reserves, it is up to Emma to work hard and win a place in the main team. I don’t understand why people complain that we don’t have players in BIG teams, yet when an opportunity arises we say our players aren’t good enough?
Finally, please don’t compare the boy to Kampamba. How old was Kampamba when he went to Russia. I am talking real age, not football age. The guy was already on the decline when he went that side.
Mabbwana on Sat, 28th Nov 2009 2:40 PM
Well said ba Whisper.
Mwape on Mon, 30th Nov 2009 1:25 AM
Ever since Zambia started calling itself Chipolopolo we have been poor. Go back to KK 11.