Under-20 starlets off to Russia
- Thursday, January 7, 2010, 19:08
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Left back Stephen Kabamba at the airport when under-20 returned from SA.
Cosafa Youth Championship player of the tournament and Lusaka Dynamos teenage sensation Stanley Nshimbi and three other players from the title winning Zambia under-20 squad have left the country for trials in Moscow, Russia to participate in the CIS Cup which features league Champions from former Soviet (USSR) states.
Kabwe Warriors’ left back Stephen Kabamba, Chifubu Bullets midfielder Rodrick Kabwe and White Mwanambaba of Profund Warriors are other three players.
“Our representative in Lusaka has been monitoring the progress of a number of teenagers in Zambia. He has identified a host of youngsters who are capable of breaking into the top leagues in Europe in the three,four years time,” European Sports Agency (ESA) spokesperson David Abrahamyan told Zambianfootball.net in an interview from Moscow.
Stanley Nshimbi, 17- Zambia Under-17 graduate. He is a left footed winger who can operate on both flanks and in the hole. Was voted man of the match against South Korea in Dubai last year at an invitational tournament.
Was also unused substitute at the Cosafa Senior Challenge in Zimbabwe.
Stephen Kabamba, 19- Another Mufulira Wanderers product. At the under-20 touney in South Africa he scored two goals. He loves to get forward.
Rodrick Kabwe, 17- the youngest of the quartet. Left footed all action midfielder. Spent the second half of the season at Forest Rangers. He is similar to Sulley Munthari of Ghana He has a power shot. Just like Nshimbi he can also operate on the flanks but his favoured position is the attacking midfield role.
White Mwanambaba, 18- dubbed as the next Billy Mwanza. Tough tackling and nonsense at the back. His friends call him Mr.Strong. Comfortable across the back four.
“We have invited players from Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Gambia, Senegal and Zambia. From the 18 players, four of them are from Zambia. If fact we sent invitation letters to 7 Zambian players but unfortunately their clubs refused to release them,” Abrahamyan added.
“After working with Emmanuel (Mbola) and Chisa (Chisamba Lungu), we would like to work with a lot of Zambian players. They are fabulous player both on and off the pitch. We want to have as many players from Zambia.
The 18 players from Africa will represent Mbola’s Pyunik which is not sending a team to Moscow. Russian Champions Rubin Kazan is likely to send a reserve side.
The Zambian lads will face former World Player of Year Rivaldo who play for Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan. Rivaldo’s Brazilian compatriot and former Chelsea boss Felipe Scolari is the coach Bunyodkor.
The tornament has attracted 16 teams and will kick off 16th January and end on January 25th.
Tournament Schedule
GROUP A:
Rubin (Russia), Dnepr (Belarus), Metallurg (Latvia), Dordoi-Dynamo (Kyrgizstan)
GROUP B:
Baku (Azerbaijan), Aktobe (Kazakhstan), HJK (Finland), Vakhsh (Tajikistan)
GROUP C:
Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine), Levadia (Estonia), MTTU (Turkmenistan), сборная клубов России
GROUP D:
Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan), Ekranas (Lithuania), Dacia (Moldova), Pyunik (Armenia)
Full List of Players to play for Pyunik.
| Bojan SEJIC | 1983 | goalkeeper | |
| Igor IVANENKO | 1991 | goalkeeper | |
| Sidy NDIAYE | 1987 | central defender | |
| Nortey TETTEH | 1990 | left full back, central defender | |
| Alexis ALLANGBA | 1986 | central defender | |
| Kemo FATTY | 1992 | central defender | |
| Lamin SAMATEH | 1992 | central defender | |
| Stephen KABAMBA | 1990 | left full back | |
| White MWANAMBABA | 1992 | universal defender, defensive midfielder | |
| Gerson ACEVEDO | 1988 | central defender | |
| King OSANGA | 1990 | attacking midfielder | |
| Michael EGBETA | 1991 | attacking midfielder | |
| Dame DIOP | 1993 | attacking midfielder | |
| Silva Bernardo PATACA | 1990 | defensive midfielder | |
| Toluwase AKINDELE | 1991 | attacking midfielder | |
| Cesar VALENZUELA | 1992 | attacking midfielder, forward | |
| Stanley NSHIMBI | 1992 | left/right winger, forward | |
| Rodrick KABWE | 1992 | attacking midfielder | |
| Gabriel Ojimi OBATOLA | 1987 | striker | |
| Mrisho NGASA | 1989 | striker, right winger | |
| Allan WANGA | 1985 | striker | |
| Samuel AFUM | 1990 | striker | |
| Hayk KAZARYAN | 1993 | striker |
About the Author
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Goal.com Worldview: The Potential Break-Out Stars Of The Africa Cup Of Nations
Goal.com looks at some of the possible headline grabbers at Angola 2010…
Jan 7, 2010 12:00:20 PM
Photo GalleryZoomAngola 2010,Caf
Related Links
Teams
Algeria
Burkina Faso
Ivory Coast
Mozambique
Nigeria
Tunisia
Zambia
Players
Moumouni Dagano
Cheikh Ismael Tiote
Gervinho
Jacob Mulenga
Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi
Madjid Bougherra
Domingues
The Africa Cup of Nations provides a biannual showcase for the talents of some of the continent’s most established stars. Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Mohammed Zidan and company are regarded as world class performers and go to Angola with the hopes of their respective nations resting on their shoulders. However, there is another class of performer waiting in the wings for their time to come. The Africa Cup of Nations will be an opportunity for some of the continent’s break-out stars to show their worth. These players may not be household names yet, but Angola 2010 could give them the chance to augment their reputations. Goal.com’s team of global experts has scoured the globe for some potential stars-in-waiting.
Dominic Adiyiah – Ghana & AC Milan
The 20-year-old earned himself a lucrative move to AC Milan thanks to his performances in the under-20 World Cup. Adiyiah, then of Fredrikstad in Norway, scored eight times throughout the series as the Black Satellites claimed the title. He earned a first senior cap for Ghana in November and is one of Milovan Rajevac’s young inclusions for the Angola series. For a while now, Ghana have been lacking a genuine goal-getter; Adiyiah could end that sequence and give the Black Stars and added edge.
Carlo Garganese, Goal.com International
Youssef Msakni – Tunisia & Esperance
The Esperance player has not yet been capped at senior level but his performances during his time in youth teams, particularly his excellence at the 2007 Under-17 World Cup, have garnered him many admirers. The speedster can be utilised as both a support striker and a right-sided midfielder. Such versatility might just earn him a place in Faouzi Benzarti’s starting XI despite the fact that he is the youngest player on the roster at 19. Msakni was previously barred by the Tunisian FA for disciplinary reasons but his coach, who is also his manager at club level, insisted that he be pardoned. Hamburger SV are reportedly tracking the phenom.
Rami Ayari, Goal.com Africa
Cheik Ismael Tiote – Cote D’Ivoire & FC Twente
Few people know about the 23-year-old at the moment, but more surely will after Angola 2010. Tiote is a voracious midfielder who, according to local journalists, is a “tireless runner always hungry to see something happen on the field”. Born 23 years ago, Tiote began his professional career with Anderlecht in Belgium in 2005, helping his side to the final of the Belgian Cup that year. He played for Roda JC in the Netherlands during the 2007-08 season and then moved on to FC Twente, where he still plays. “I’m honoured to be selected, and I’m ready to prove my best to the coach and the nation,” he told reporters recently. Will the absence of Romaric in the midfield create a chance for Tiote to explode? Let’s wait and see.
Kingsley Kobo, Goal.com Africa
Madjid Bougherra – Algeria & Rangers
There was general surprise when Rangers parted with £2.5 million to take Bougherra from Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2008. It was his third move in as many years and the impression was of a journeyman central defender. However, his performances quickly demonstrated why he was so valued; quick, perceptive in snuffing out attacks and with a perfect build for a centre-back, Bougherra became a firm favourite with Rangers fans as they swept to a League and Cup double in Scotland. Recently, though, the relationship has soured. Bougherra has repeatedly gone AWOL after international duty with Algeria, and there have been contradictory quotes over his desire to stay in Glasgow beyond this season. The Africa Cup of Nations is the 27-year-old’s shop window, and given that he was recently voted Algeria’s player of 2009 in an internet poll, he should be able to impress.
Steven Saunders, Goal.com UK
Elias Pelembe – Mozambique & Mamelodi Sundowns
The 26-year-old is a speedy and skilful winger who can also be deployed behind the strikers; he has a good eye for goals and can pack a powerful shot. Domingues, as he is nicknamed, was the influential player when his former club, Supersport United, won the 2007-08 Premier Soccer League and was subsequently voted PSL Player of the Season.
Clyde Tlou, Goal.com Africa
Jacob Mulenga – Zambia & FC Utrecht
A physically strong striker, who initially had some difficulty in getting used to playing at FC Utrecht, came into his own during the last weeks of 2009. The 25-year-old played well towards the end of the decade, no more so than in the game against Ajax. FC Utrecht won 2-0 and Mulenga scored the first goal. He could improve his vision and finishing, but is a handful due to his physical prowess. Also, Mulenga is fast and has good spring in his heels. He is a player who can cause trouble to the defence of any opponents. Maybe the Africa Cup could be his international breakthrough with Zambia.
Tommy Vaneldik, Goal.com Netherlands
Gervinho – Cote d’Ivoire & Lille
Gervinho was ranked third in the running for African Player of the Year in 2009 and is currently the top goalscorer in France with 11 goals. At 22, the attacker is the revelation of Ligue 1, and at the moment his side, Lille, are playing the best football in Le Championnat. The ex-Le Mans striker has found his place on either flank of the attack and he is very technical and very quick. Surely a player to watch and another big threat from the Ivorian team, one of the most formidable in the competition.
Alexandre Walraevens, Goal.com France
Moumouni Dagano – Burkina Faso & Al Khor
The top scorer in the CAF section for 2010 World Cup qualification was not Samuel Eto’o, Frederic Kanoute or Didier Drogba. Instead, it was the relatively unknown Al Khor striker, Moumouni Dagano, of the Stallions of Burkina Faso. The 29-year-old front-man struck 12 times in the process of propelling his side towards Africa Cup of Nations qualification in Angola. The Burkinabe find themselves in a difficult group at Angola, with Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo for company. To again top the scoring log would be some feat for Dagano, but he will need to remedy his problem of failing to net big goals in big games. In the two qualification defeats against Cote d’Ivoire, he failed to find the net.
Peter Staunton, Goal.com International
Gud news bt goin 2europe is one thin &Makin it is yet another thin.i ve se3en them go & come.
Gud news bt goin 2europe is one thin &Makin it is yet another thin.i ve seen them go & come.
STRIKERS James Chamanga , Jacob Mulenga, Collins Mbesuma, Given Singuluma and Emmanuel Mayuka shoulder the responsibility of propelling Zambia onto the scoresheet at the Africa Cup of Nations kicking off in Angola on Sunday.
A minimum of two out of the five strikers make the starting line-up in a given game, but depending on the formation, even three may get the nod at the sound of the first whistle.
Considering that coach Herve Renard’s favoured formation is mostly 4-3-3 in which skipper Christopher Katongo also takes a commanding role upfront, only two strikers have the chance of starting the game.
In this case, Renard has an option to field Chamanga, Mulenga or Mbesuma in the starting line-up as Chipolopolo mounts a goal-searching campaign. Goals were elusive during both the preliminary and final round qualifiers but to progress at the Africa Cup of Nations, they must rain.
Therefore, Renard’s preferred bet is a three-man attack built around Chamanga, Mulenga and Katongo. In the trio, Chipolopolo has a combination of strength, determination and purpose to outdo opponents.
Current club and international form also favours the Chamanga, Mulenga and Katongo combination to inspire Chipolopolo at the three weeks tournament at which first round opponents include Tunisia, Gabon and Cameroon in Group D.
However, none of the three players possess the clinical finishing quality Mbesuma is blessed with.
That is why Renard may want to keep Mbesuma under wraps and unleash him when the lowest point hits the team with the hope of turning the tables. Yet without Mbesuma, the team must still find itself on the scoresheet, and it is the likes of Chamanga whose career has seen him shuttle positions during his school days from defence to now a striker.
In the opening game, Chamanga returns to face Tunisia, a side he dazzled with an early opener at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt although his effort was overshadowed by the final 4-1 scoreline defeat. In twenty international appearances, Chamanga has been on target seven times and his contribution is vital to Zambia’s outing.
The 30-year-old striker currently based in China with Dalian Shide has a swift menacing run into the opponent’s yard, given the right combination.
Now with Utretch of Holland, striker Mulenga’s scoring prowess at national level has more or less been unsatisfactory. Competitively, Mulenga has scored three goals in 15 appearances for Chipolopolo.
Aged 25, Mulenga may not be the best target-man to assign the responsibility for goals. However, he stands out and wins many a coach’s heart for his commitment to duty.
Very few players have the determination and confidence Mulenga espouses on the pitch and Renard needs a physically strong forward like him to match the equally strong Cameroonians at the competition.
It’s Mulenga’s fearless manouevres and the capacity to do most of the work for his fellow strikers upfront that wins him a place ahead of others. Renard may just need this breed at the competition to compliment skipper Katongo.
But Zambia is not short of options if Chamanga, Mulenga, Mbesuma or Katongo fail to rise to the occasion as youngsters Singuluma and Mayuka may just use the opportunity to rise to the occasion and overcome the goal scoring malaise which haunts the qualifying record at two goals with five points in the final leg. The search for goals continues.
This is some interesting stuff
@Gametime12
* Just a point of correction. *
Jacob has four goals for Zambia. One against Togo on his debut, another one against Mauritius in the cosafa tournament which Zambia won 3-1, the other one was against Congo Brazzaville in Chililabobwe under Patrick . The last time we saw his name on the score sheet was against Sudan at the AFCON.
Good article
banda plans to travel to angola to watch the boys,,do you think its great thing
ah!ah! ah!, i jus want to avoid commenting on this coz we will definately have political views here i think we better leave it at that, for football its ok but …….. lets just end there!
There are so many Bandas. Which Banda are you talking about? There are also two Bandas in the squad. If you meant Rupiah, its not a great development. REASONS RESERVED
Did ZNBC raise the money for the AFCON. Is it going to be on Zed TV??
It will be great for the National Team to have him there.At least he will do something good for the first time.
good for Zambian lads..keep on shining..the sky is the limit!
well its a good step, much better when players go at a young age. i hope that once they get there they will not relax but have big ambitions . what better stepping stone can you hav eapart from this one. great news for the future
kaul tippin negeria as winnin da afcon is a non starter,mayb he was tryin mak them feel hapi.
I agree. Maybe he was just flattering them after the draw with Zambia.