January 8, 2010
Jacob Mulenga has been tipped to be one of the stars to watch thanks to his impressive form in Holland
Striker Jacob Mulenga has been singled out by Goal.com as one of the potential break out stars of the African Nations Cup in Angola.
Goal.com’s Holland based journalist Tommy Vaneldik has monitored the former Afrisport striker’s progress in the Dutch Eredivisie since making his switch from French ligue 2 side Berrichonne Chateauroux at the start of the season. And his move has been voted in the top ten as the transfer of the season.
Vaneldik wrote, “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.”
The gangling target man has scored 5 goals in 16 games for Utrecht while on the international he only been on target four times since making his debut in 2005.
Do you think Jacob Mulenga will transfer his club form to International? And who is your potential Zambian break-out star? Have your say
34 Comments on "Jacob tipped to shine in Angola"
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Mphatso on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 10:42 AM
If given a chance my break out star would be Mayuka, but i wonder if he’ll ever get off that bench.
1 who knows on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 10:57 AM
I agree but still hope HR is smart enough even to open with him near by Jacob.
Billy on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 10:58 AM
Tukamona.
isaac malukutu on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 11:01 AM
My description of Jacob is that he is a good player who always disappoints but my breakout star is Clifford mulenga and i think the aging Cameroon back 4 will have a problem containing our nimble footed winger.
James Zulu on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 11:07 AM
Credit to Jacob he has improved, i pray his club form is in him for Zambia, then and only then he will shine! Otherwise all the best!
floyd on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 11:19 AM
Football is team work. I feel Kalaba Rainford and Mayuka will emerge at this world cup. Much as physic is important, modern Football is more about thinking. The technique.
monk p on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 11:28 AM
World cup?
If Jacob can get goals Zambia can go far, for me he might as well be the breakout star or Chamanga .
Shi Chamar on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 11:58 AM
Jacob will be the break out star. He has the legs of Adebayor and the physic and determination of Drogba, all he needs is the accuracy of Eto.
Big Steve from SA on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 12:02 PM
For Zed its almost always that the midfielders are the ones that turnout to to be the stars. I think Felix like last time will be the star of the Zambian team but I also see Clifford shocking the world this time around.
demesi on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 12:20 PM
kaya
Mabbwana on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 1:24 PM
Its good Jacob is making progress and good headway at the club. It will be great if he could hit top gear at the AFCON and score the goals.
A return of 3 goals in 15 games does not inspire much for a striker but I also agree that he can be handful to defenders especially when you are looking for a big lad to hussle the opponetnts defence through out.
Magic on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 1:58 PM
Athletic, a handful for defenders, good pace but couldn’t hit the back of the net with a wrecking ball. I hope you prove me wrong Jacob…score!
daniel on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 2:12 PM
If the entire zambia,relied on Jacob today i would be the last person.
Mbesuma though not at his best is still but than Jacob in my view
Gametime12 on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 2:13 PM
Last time we played Cameroon their defense was a bit shaky, we exposed Song in that game. I’m hoping thatour players still remember that, they should capitalize on that. I also feel that Clifford Mulenga could be the break out star. The Cameroonians don’t know him yet, I still have my doubts about Mayuka. I think he should be used as a supper sub, otherwise he is still raw.
daniel on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 2:14 PM
Jacob,even with a blind goal keeper he would still not put the ball behind the net.
Mr Zambia on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 2:23 PM
Daniel, you have made my day. Ala wansekesha man. aahhha aaahh. Thats Zambian strikers for you.
Curious on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 2:47 PM
Asilikale, could you please explain to me the difference btn 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 in terms of play please.
Mr Zambia on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 2:50 PM
From what I see, the most effective is the 4-1-2-3 formation. This means 4 in defence, 1 holding midfielder, 2 attacking, 1 striker just behind the main two strikers and offcourse the two main strikers in front.
GEORGEKALUMBA on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 3:00 PM
in all fairness, and if it were that tym we had quality coaches, this wud have been the line up for mother zambia. mweene, musonda, mbola,D.Banda,chintu.{mid}. chansa,kalaba,No.10. katongo.C, 9, chamanga and katongo f.7 while mulenga jacob 11.Now with HR and the dormant Lwandamina, they will just be looking for money frm Fwayo and sunzu, and singuluma, professional in the shanty surbubs of lubumbashi.Their employer kalusha will be telling them which player has forfeited all bonus and allces. musakabwele kuno ku zambia bantalamisoka.
tino on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 3:11 PM
Yes pipo can you please explain 4-4-2 and 4-3-3.since yesterday no one has answered
Sibs on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 3:49 PM
The thing i like about Jacob is his work rate and the ability to fight. They guy keeps the central defence busy. Though like the article says he needs to polish up his finishing and his first touch atimes is a bit off.
But i have seen a lot of improvement watching him play for Utretch this season. Going by experience i would go for Jacob starting. I feel HR should try playing JM and Mayuka especially during these friendlies. I feel Mayuka has a point to prove. He just needs game time from HR.
dan man on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 4:03 PM
jacob is a visionless striker and am not putting my money on him…….
Gametime12 on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 4:46 PM
4-3-3
The 4-3-3 was a development of the 4-2-4, and was played by the Brazilian national team in the 1962 World Cup. The extra player in midfield allows a stronger defence, and the midfield could be staggered for different effects. The three midfielders normally play closely together to protect the defence, and move laterally across the field as a coordinated unit. The three forwards split across the field to spread the attack, and may be expected to mark the opposition full-backs as opposed to doubling back to assist their own full-backs, as do the wide midfielders in a 4-4-2. When used from the start of a game, this formation is widely regarded as encouraging expansive play, and should not be confused with the practice of modifying a 4-4-2 by bringing on an extra forward to replace a midfield player when behind in the latter stages of a game.
A staggered 4-3-3 involving a defensive midfielder (usually numbered four or six) and two attacking midfielders (numbered eight and ten) was commonplace in Italy, Argentina, and Uruguay during the 1960s and 1970s. The Italian variety of 4-3-3 was simply a modification of WM, by converting one of the two wing-halves to a libero (sweeper), whereas the Argentine and Uruguayan formations were derived from 2-3-5 and retained the notional attacking centre-half.
Gametime12 on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 4:51 PM
The funny thing is that there are different variations of the 4-3-3 formation, but no one has explained which one they are opposing.
Gametime12 on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 4:54 PM
For some reason I cant post the second part to that article..But if you need more information the formation you can wikipedia it.
dot com on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 4:59 PM
kalaba and cliff will definatly be the stars to watch for….
Awe on Sat, 9th Jan 2010 10:00 AM
@hachigubu
Ba mudala you don’t know what you are saying… so Dennis Banda a center back will be played in midfield? And Mbola who is constantly overlapping will one of three defenders…. You may aswell play with Mweene as yur number 9 because after Mbola overlaps then what? You are left with 2 defenders against a team like Tunisia who sit back and counter all day. When you play a 3-5-2 your three defenders are more than likely going to be all centre backs… or at least have centre back qualities not fullbacks who like to overlap..that like chelsea playing ashley Cole in central defence. Your full back would have the tendancy to get drawn to the wing, and thereby creating space in the middle for strikers to exploit. Think about it my brother
Awe on Sat, 9th Jan 2010 10:09 AM
Watching Jacob play for Utrecht is so weird pantu when u see him play for Zed it is like two different people. He is well complimented at his club by his teammates and I think he can be a breakout star… if he is allowed to roam the same way he does at his club. Against Egypt in Cairo he played as a lone striker with balls being booted up to him and holding up the play…but if you see Utrecht they have player on the wings constantly trying to run the ball at their opposition, you ee Jacob running on the flanks trying to get open… you don’t see that at Zed level because our strategy does not compliment him… he is constantly getting the ball with his back to goal..which is why his weaknesses are being exposed..you need a good first touch to create space especially if you are not getting the ball in advantageous positions. Jacob will need the right kind of service for him to be a breakout star..and if it happens that the midfielders provide him that service… then I’m sure he will exploit it.
Muta on Sat, 9th Jan 2010 2:33 PM
When playing teams like Tunisia and Cameron Zambia should just use the 4-5-1 formation with Jacob Mulenga or Chris Katongo as a lone striker. When playing Gabon use the 4-4-2 formation.