January Transfer News

hichani1

Hichani Himonde is on the move; Is it T.P Mazembe or Europe?

The Football Association of Zambia, FAZ announced that the local transfer window is now open and will close in March, most probably when the 2010 KCM Premier League will kick off.

Champions Zanaco who edged out fellow big spenders Zesco United for the league title thanks to superior goal difference have already hit the ground and set  camp in  Mongu were Coach Wedson Nyirenda has set up a two weeks camp while Zescolo will be begin it’s preparation on January 11.

In addition to early preps, ‘Wadda Wadda’ has made over 8 signings and it will be interesting to see    how his first starting lineup against Uganda Revenue Authority in the CAF Champions League will look like in February.

With the bankers going for the ‘Best of the Best’ from the local league, Zesco decided to go abroad once more…a move which has back fired in the past.

In fact the bankers were the first one to go continental for reinforcement.

After winning the league in 2006, Zanaco went to Uganda and signed two players; a holding midfielder and a winger but unfortunately both players failed to light up Sunset Stadium and were shown the door after just about 18 months.

A season later, it was Zesco’s turn and the Ndola based unleashed two players from Liberia, Ben Martins being one of them. ‘Zega…Team Ya Ziko’ is rumoured to have had splashed an estimated K90m.

Below are some of the transfers from various clubs in Zambia…

Afrisport

Under-20 starlet Christopher Munthali has been invited to attend trials at Hungarian side Budapest Honved where former Chipolopolo Boys skipper Misheck Lungu had a 12 month stint.

Profund Warriors

Munthali’s Zambia Under-20 centre-back partner White Mwanambaba is being courted by Kabwe Warriors.

The Profound Warriors nonsense defender has also been linked with a move to Europe.

Green Buffaloes

Buffaloes coach has recalled Chipolopolo Boys’ playmaker Kennedy Chola from his loan spell at City of Lusaka.

Chola won his international debut in the 4-1 win over North Korea in November and was singled out by Herve Renard as the best Zambian player at the 2009 Cecafa Senior Challenge were Zambia was dumped  out by minnows Zanzibar in quarterfinals.

Chola is expected to be a direct replacement for Sebastian Mwansa who is rumoured to have signed for T.P Mazembe. Mwansa was spotted at Lubumbashi’s Hotel du Centre immediately after the Cecafa with Zanaco left back Mwelwa Sakala.

On the technical bench, Buffaloes have not renewed the contract of Coach Alfred Lupiya. The under-20 assistant coach was brought on as stand in for George Lwandamina after he left by mutual consent in August.

Forest Rangers

International defender Nyambe Mulenga who is recovering from torn ligament is set to extend his loan move at Zesco United for another season. The all action defender is set to start light training by the first week of March.

Under-20 International midfielder Rodrick Kabwe’s loan move from third tier side Chifubu Bullets is on hold as he scheduled to attend trials in Europe this week. The left footed box-to-box midfielder spent the second half of last season at Forest were he blossomed and was subsequently watched by an International scout.

Elsewhere in the news, Forest Chairman Mutafu has resigned his position at the Ndola based side.

Kabwe Warriors

Former Mufulira Wanderers left back Stephen Kabamba now on the books of Warriors is set to travel to Europe by the end of the week.

Kabamba scored two goals as the Junior Chipolopolo went on to lift the Cosafa Cup in South Africa. As it has been widely reported George Lwandamina will be in-charge of the blue and white next season.

Nkana

Nkana fc board has dissolved its executive committee and is expected to usher in a new executive before the start of the season.

The KCM Premier League new comers are also rumoured to be chasing the signature of former International midfielder Linos Makwaza who played for bitter rivals Power Dynamos in the early 90s.

Makwaza was in-charge of Forest Rangers last season. He also had a spell at Zamtel after be ousted from Arthur Davies Stadium when they employed Egyptian-born coach Mohammad Fathy at the start of the 2009 season.

Power Dynamos

The 1991 Mandela Cup winners have finally bought the signature of diminutive winger Simon Bwalya from Lusaka Dynamos.

Bwalya, a member of the bronze wining Chan squad has spent the last three seasons on loan at the Kitwe giants.

Former Under-23 player Norman Munthali has been pruned by the CEC sponsored side alongside two other players as they are not in the plans of coach Fordson Kabole for the upcoming season.

Lusaka Dynamos

The hottest teenage in Southern Africa, Stanley Nshimbi is expected to try his luck in Europe. The under-20 star player who has been dubbed as the next Kalusha Bwalya is also on the radar of Zesco United.

Nshimbi was named the most valuable player at the under-20 regional Cosafa Cup tournament where he helped Zambia to a 1-0 win over South Africa’s Amajita in the finals.

International centre back Hichani Himonde has caught the attention of a European side were another Zambian player plays.

Himonde is also been wanted by Given Singuluma’s T.P Mazembe.

Zesco United

The 2009 Orange CAF group stage finalist’s foreign policy has only yielded one signing and that’s Malawian full back Elvis Kafoteka.

Many Zescolo fans will keep an eye on Kafoteka’s progress at the Orange CAF African Cup of Nations were Kinnah Phiri side will face host Angola, Mali and Algeria in group A.

Ex- Chipolopolo defenders Billy Mwanza and Clive Hachilensa have also signed for Zesco United. Mwanza returned from a one season stint at Chinese side Gangshe while Hachilensa has just recovered from a knee injury. Both players were part of the Zambian squad at the Ghana 2008 AFCON finals.

Zanaco

As it has been reported, the bankers have made over 8 signings. The defenders include Jimmy Chisenga and Maybin Chishimba from Red Arrows and Konkola Blades respectively. Zamtel’s Percy Kisonge and George Chilufya from Nchanga Rangers.

In midfield, Judge M’kandawire, Jimmy Ndhlovu (both Red Arrows), Stoppila Sunzu and Trinity Chilaishi (Blades) have also clinched deals at the bankers.

Upfront Chambishi striker Venious Mapande and former Lusaka Celtic forward Mathes Macha have been earmarked as Patrick Kabamba’s replacement.

Kabamba has since signed at Angolan top side Primeiro de Augusto.

And finally the bankers might be heading for either South Africa or Holland for the final phase of their pre-season.