February 21, 2010
Flash back: Mbola tries to narrow an angle for Kennedy Mudenda during his first training with the Chipolopolo at Barclays Sports Complex
International left full back Emmanuel Mbola has arrived in England to begin a 10 days trial at Premier League side Tottenham Spurs.
The teenage who ply his trade in Armenia with Pyunik Yeravan caught the eye of Spurs scouts after impressing at the African Cup of Nations in Angola especially in the quarter final clash with Nigeria in which he game a man of the match performance.
“Yes, I have arrived in London. Everything is fine and looking forward to start training,” Mbola told Zambianfootball.net in an interview.
Should Mbola impress Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, he will be offered a long term contract but continue his development in either France or Portugal on loan since he is not yet eligible to acquire a UK work permit because of Zambia is still not ranked below 70 on the Coca Cola/FIFA Ranking.
Mbola’s rise to stardom is one of a fairy tale having just emerged on the local scene in August 2008. The player made his under-17 debut against Namibia but his adventure was cut short after the Young Brave Warriors dumped the Young Bullets out of the 2009 African Under-17 Championship qualifiers.
Two months later, the highly rated full back was one of a few players to graduate to the then Oswald Mutapa Jr coached Under-20 team which was preparing for the Cosafa Championship in South Africa.
While Mutapa was eager to have a naturally left footed defender in his side, it was the same outcry from the new Chipolopolo gaffer Herve Renard who asked a number of people and scouts to find him a left back and after he was tipped that there was ‘a Roberto Carlos’ training with under-20, the Frenchman did not hesitate to summon teenage. Just after one training session with the senior team which was preparing for final CHAN qualifier against Angola, Renard had only praise for the youngster.
Mbola went on to make his senior debut in Luanda, Angola and earned his first home cap at Konkola Stadium in the return leg, a game Zambia won 2-1 thanks to goals from Given Singuluma and William Njobvu. By that time, he had already been recommended to Europe by a Zambian scout contracted by Russian agents.
Renard kept faith in the starlet despite gifting the Angolans a penalty and named him in the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup unfortunately Zambia did not progress to the next round in Uganda but Mbola was one of the best players in the four games played.
Emmanuel Mbola was outstanding against Nigeria in Angola
In January, 2009, Mbola together with Njobvu and Francis Kasonde travelled to Moscow, Russia to attend trials and after six weeks of extensive trials, he was snapped by Armenian glamour side Pyunik Yeravan. He signed a three year deal and by the end of the season he went on to lift a league title and played both games against Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League qualifier.
On the international stage, Renard handed Mbola a starting berth in an inexperienced back four consisting of Nyambe Mulenga and Dennis Banda and the trio held their own against Amr Zaki and company at the 120, 000 capacity Cairo International Stadium as a second half Francis Kasonde goal earned the Chipolopolo a valuable point.
Mbola went on to feature in every international game Zambia played in the 2009 calendar save for the Ghana friendly game and Cosafa Cup matches. In things won’t go as planned at Spurs, Mbola has also offers from two other Premiership side.
60 Comments on "Mbola arrives in England to attend trials at Spurs"
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Mabbwana on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 9:43 PM
A very positive development this.
Mbesuma had the chance to light-up the world and open the window for his colleagues but he blew it. Now its your turn young man, take it with both hands.
Just today, Spurs went to number 4 in the EPL, the fact that such a good team has called him in for trials will leave the others turning their heads as to who this new kid on the block is. I hope they sign him on but even if they dont, I know another team in England will be interested.
All the best Emmanuel, work hard and show them that yes you can. You may be holding the key to your colleagues moves abroad coz if you impress everyone else will want to see what has remained where you come from.
ife ndife ba zambia on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 10:13 PM
thats a good move.hope all will go positive.all the best young boy
Laston Musenga on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 10:17 PM
Mbola is destined for the big stage. He has so far been abled to display solid performances at national level. I do believe that the young man will win himself a contract.
Jojo on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 10:22 PM
Hope he makes it ,i do no think he will be intimidated by anything,for a lad of 17yrs this boy is very mature,i saw his interview on TV prior to the africa cup and i was extremely impressed,unlike some of teammates emma seems to have the right people around him..he is following in the footsteps of jacob mulenga who also never played in the zambian premier league,they went straight from the lower leagues and into europe,this shows that talent is not only at zanaco,power and zesco,its also there in division 2
Richie on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 10:37 PM
This is surely a great breakthrough for zamfoot considering that in the last 9 years Mbola is the 3rd zambian player to be called for trials in the EPL,Mayuka also tried out at Reading & Mbesuma’s forgotable stint at pompey so am wishing my young boy Mbola all the best of luck,10 days are enough to show what he is made of.Even a country we should work harder to be among the top 70 footballing nations so that we dont block the progress of our players.God be with you Emmanuel.
ife ndife ba zambia on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 10:54 PM
sunzu and singuluma scored, to lead mazembe to 2-0 victory
Jojo on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 11:01 PM
@Richie
Was it not stopilla sunzu that attended trials at reading?
Man ceasor on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 11:32 PM
Pipo mbola is nt a small boy he is a man coz he is nt 16.cn sam1 clear me on work permit n under ranking.
Winza Sichali on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 12:30 AM
Yes ! An opportunity like this is one the young man should take with both hands . He has the skill, the persona, confidence and bola in his legs to succeed in the epl . Am very excited !
Matafwali on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 1:21 AM
Congratulations! I wish you success young man.
Gametime12 on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 2:27 AM
Zambia is # 73 on the rankings we should be able to make 70 pretty soon, all we have to do is win the upcoming fixtures.
Anonymous on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 2:46 AM
the basis is not only being ranked in the top 70 but you should have played 80% of your countries games in the last 1 year.so the boy shud make it…tho spurs am a gooner gona b hard 4 me 2 support spurs bt nway gud luck 2 the boy/man…
Mario on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 5:57 AM
This is promising news. I hope he succeeds.
Cheers on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 7:03 AM
Roberto Carlos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EPL here we come
Awe on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 7:45 AM
Oh my goodness, I hope Zambians will practice more restraint this time around. When Mbesuma whent to Pompey Zambians crowded the pompey fan section on BBC website… telling everyone how great Mbesuma was and crowding out the regular pompey fans to the point that Zambians were hurling insults at the then coach Parrin when Mbesuma was not playing…. Zambians even called for his dismissal and when Zedians got their wish …Mbeuma was also offloaded bty the incoming Rednapp who just happens to be Spurs manager……
The lesson here is; lets not do the same thing if this young man gets signed. Lets not take over ama forum yabene and lets be positive and patient because Mbola will not arive at Spurs or any other EPL team and expect to be first choice immediately. I wish the young man luck. I also wish Spurs fans luck in dealing with some overzealous zed ‘fans’
Sibs on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 8:10 AM
Emma you have what it takes to make it. Good luck.
bob munyati on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 8:21 AM
Mbola congrats. I am sure the rest of the team has to work hard in order to do you a favour by increasing on the FIFA world ranking to get you in England. I am also sure that it will be good for all team player to work hard and increase their chances of going to England. I am sure scouts love the Zambian game but have to face the reality that we are not yet below 70 of world ranking. Its a good objective to work towards this year.
willard zulu on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 8:39 AM
let God’s abundant blessings be on this young man called Emmanuel Mbola so that he impresses mbesuma’s former manager as this will open the door for more zambian players.
James Zulu on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 8:45 AM
Congrats young man, we wish you all the best
Sammy David on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 8:45 AM
This is good news I just hope we dont get attitude problems as was the case with Mbesuma. All the best Mbola
Zima Ndola on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 8:55 AM
All the best Emma.
kabs on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 9:10 AM
@Mabbwana
Mabbwana i love the comments you have made on mbola,big up.Mbola show them that we got talent in Zambia,all best.
Big up to Sunzu & singuluma,continue carrying the Zambian flag high.
jay jay on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 9:41 AM
we behind you my boy, all the best!!!!
Magic on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 10:18 AM
Good luck mate. Quality player.
kwekwe on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 10:21 AM
this boy is not 17yrs old.the age cheating is disgusting but the boy is talented.i think he is really 23 years old no matter what his nrc says.how cud he have copleted school 3-4 years ago n still b 17 in zed?lets b serious.
Georgia Russia on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 10:32 AM
all the best mbola,if reddknap gets you,that will be a big opening for zambian players,i wish you all the best.
tino on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 10:35 AM
@kwekwe
but why do you guys keep talking about people’s ages.the boy has told you he is 17 why are you disagreeing as though you have concrete evidence that he is not….
Great work emma and all the best
Dr five on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 11:03 AM
If adebayo is 25 n yaya same, wat can stop mbola fro bein 17, we wl always ve haters, mbola ma ignore chabe, u dserve wat u ve earnd, hardwork n discipline, wish feligo n mbesuma kud learn.
bob munyati on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 11:13 AM
Zambia has good games to come as we have been grouped along side Mozambique, Libya and Comores. We need to top our group to qualify to the Africa Cup. I think with these games we could even increase our World Ranking which is yet to fall after the world cup…
Ba Muzo on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 11:19 AM
Why should the issue of Mbola’s age come into the fray now? Are some people not comfortable that a Zambian ‘youngster’ has a chance finally a chance of trying out in England?
Mbola should not worry about the detractors and concentrate on his try out at White Hart Lane.
Mbola is like Patrice Evra. He can make it in England. Forget the age issues, remember what David Moyes, the Everton Manager, said about Nigerian Yakubu Aiyegebeni when he signed him?
Lets encourage the lad and forget the much addo about nothing. Kabiye mwaiche, ulimukali(Go young man, you are talented-great potential)!
All the best to Mbola, he can make it.
Vincent Numbwa on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 11:23 AM
all the best to the lads.
tino on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 11:28 AM
@Ba Muzo
true dat
lameck tembo on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 12:46 PM
Mbola is good enough to play his football in England, he exposed himself during the just ended AFCOM in Angola. 1. He became a man of the match among the presents world class Nigerian Stars(e.g Mike Obi ,Yakubu & Martins. 2. The game against Cameroon here again he proved himself that he is capable of playing in big clubs . E.g Etoo’ changed his # to avoid Mbola as well as Alex Song was also small. 3. Emmanuel Mbola was the tournament’s youngest player but his performances was the biggest player of the competetion.
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 12:58 PM
I think he has a good chance, but I will wait and see how things go, as there are other factors involved. The good thing is that he is wanted by many clubs
Sibs on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 1:11 PM
Horror Chopper! Ba Justice from Ndombolo heh,heh….
Sibs on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 1:17 PM
It looks like you guessing i think he is 23? Dude just tell us how old he is or if you don’t know rather keep quiet.
Alexander Liwana,RSA on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 1:39 PM
This is the player I have been waiting for to make a big move to Europe together with Rainford Kalaba and Felix Katongo.Take on the chance.
chamz on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 1:43 PM
This thing of age is tricky, we say that West Africans cheat but their players play for a long time. Kanu is still playing. Okocha was playing long after 94, when our players had disappered. Mbola may not be 17 but he is young, the face shows it, maby he is 20.
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 1:57 PM
Sibs the boy made me laugh, he looks like he make a good football player judged from the way he was running, with that serious look on his face. On top of that I know Mwense District as I used to pass thru when going to Mutomboko hahaha
Cheers
Banda Suzyo on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 1:57 PM
Well done Mbola. With your great pace you can easily adopt to English Soccer and I’m confident that you will do better than Mbesum hence open the door for Zambian players to the premier league. However it is disappointing to note that the British are so biased when it comes to issuance of work permits, even when the matter concerns a common wealth Country like (Zambia). For now lets pray for Mbesuma.
Banda Suzyo on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 1:57 PM
Well done Mbola. With your great pace you can easily adopt to English Soccer and I’m confident that you will do better than Mbesum hence open the door for Zambian players to the premier league. However it is disappointing to note that the British are so biased when it comes to issuance of work permits, even when the matter concerns a common wealth Country like (Zambia). For now lets pray for Mbola.
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 2:03 PM
Mbola is as old as his father and Mother told him. This issue of age regarding Mbola is a non starter as far as I am corncern. The fact as at now is that he is at Spurs attending trails whethet we like it or not. The best we can do is to wish him luck
doycino on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 3:47 PM
hard work brings successe good lucky mbola.
Shonga-The DESTY on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 4:04 PM
i’m not so foolish not to thank and give credit to you Mbola.PLiz work Hard as a come to know your good performance and PLIZ PLIZ !!!! keept in mind were you are coming from (things & life ) to show the world that you can deliver what is needed.
Adv: Keept away from any thing destructive things especially woman , alchool, Smoking.things are the mojor factor to falier as we have it as a calendar now to mbesuma.
The country love you so much that she knows that you can outreach the world.she has confidence in you ( zambia ).BE self confidence any thing lies on you for you are the KEY ! KEY ! TO DESTINATION. CAN NEITHER OPEN NOR CLOSE YOURSELF. BUT DO NOT BE LIKE A CALANDER MAN ( mbesuma ) has decided to be his.
God Bless! God Bless!God Bless!God Bless!God Bless!
Good luck !Good luck !Good luck !
CHITI CHITUNDU on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 4:56 PM
Well its a good chance and a very good opportunity to get to the big stage. ifya age ifyo people can say this or that but if he says he is 17 then thats it. Who are we to start saying no. and its not the issue at hand its the fact that he has an opportunity. But he must be more disiplined i wont go in detail over that .
Sibs on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 5:00 PM
Yeah it made me laugh also seeing that boy flee from the chopper!
mushani on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 5:11 PM
chipolopolo mbola chipolopolo! shansha mwaiche!….tule ku papa1! zamfoot,wich otha premiership clubs want emma?
Asilikale on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 7:02 PM
Gud move by Mbola this will be a motivation to zambian players abroad n local they have been challenged,i just hope our representatives in Caf Zanaco n Zesco wud draw inspirations frm Mbola.Otherwise evn if mbola doesnt clinch a first team start it wil take a substitute to convince and give headach to any coach when it comes to selection,he is qualit material.Gud luck boy.
Anonymous on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 11:47 PM
Is Kwekwe a jealousy Zimbabwean in kwekwe, Zimbabwe??? Go figure. Just when will come to actually trust any of our footballers with their age? This has become the standard talk….does it we should always question someone because they are actually young…does one actually believe we do not have a single footballer in Africa who has talent above and beyond his age..Africans just like to spread hatred amongst themselves….there are proper records now that dispel all this….
Jc on Tue, 23rd Feb 2010 1:35 AM
Yes, Kwekwe is a disruptive element and also peddling lies. When did Mbola say he finished his school 3-4 years ago. Kwekwe if you want go to his father and gets the facts correct.
ife ndife ba zambia on Tue, 23rd Feb 2010 2:19 AM
the boy is young,look at hs face,its nt like those west africans.anyway, for me age doesnt matter as long as the player is able to deliver.even if he is 100yrs or 5 yrs,no problem so no long he entertains me
ARMENIOS on Tue, 23rd Feb 2010 3:22 AM
Spurs swoop to sign brilliant African left-back
Published 23:00 22/02/10 By Alan Nixon
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp swooped for Zambia’s brilliant young left back Emmanuel Mbola in a £1 million deal last night.
The 16-year-old defender has already got a remarkable collection of 20 caps for his country and was the youngest player in the recent African Cup of Nations.
Mbola flew in from his Armenian side Yerevan along with his agents to thrash out terms with Spurs who have beaten ambitious West Ham to his signature.
The teenager will sign a contract at White Hart Lane but probably be sent to a club in Europe for first-team experience next season – although astonishingly he already qualifies for a work permit.
Mbola went to Armenia nine months ago and is a regular for their team. He shot to fame with Zambia at international level and is a regular in their team.
The Zambians are just outside the top 70 in the FIFA rankings, so Spurs will be given the go-ahead to complete the transfer which will see Mbola groomed as a future first-team player.
Mbola played in all of Zambia’s game in the Cup of Nations after becoing the first choice in the qualifiers. He also appeared in a Champions League qualfier for Yerevan this season.
It is a meteoric rise to the top and Spurs are delighted to have pulled off the coup, although rivals Hammers are upset as they had him earmarked as one of their prospective stars of the future too.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Tottenham-swoop-to-sign-brilliant-Zambian-left-back-Emmanuel-Mbola-article332663.html
Here you see, that players can move easy from championships such Armenian, Georgian, Finland to better teams and league. Just you need to start somewhere in Europe as an African, without having experince in EU and if you play good both for your team and NT, then such teams as Tottenham are more then happy to sign you from teams like FC Pyunik.
Steven on Tue, 23rd Feb 2010 3:39 AM
All the best Emmanuel! Do us proud!
Cheers on Tue, 23rd Feb 2010 9:17 AM
I am happy. Great News! Kalaba is equally good. What is the bwafya for him. Rainford is just very good. Advise you guys in the know why Kalaba ba mwashimishafye kuli bambi.
maliti b vincent on Tue, 23rd Feb 2010 9:18 AM
a good thing for mbola’s future but i still remember mbesuma not kicking msny footballs in england at pompey, eto’e was real madrid asset for years but despite his exploits with goal they never played him. he had to leave for fc barca
Bonaventure on Tue, 23rd Feb 2010 9:34 AM
The first step is to get into a big team. For now they may loan him for ‘sometime’ for him to adjust to EPL style of play. Eventually we will see him in action. But above all it lies on the boy to keep himself safe on and off the field of play.
Anonymous on Tue, 23rd Feb 2010 9:54 AM
Spurs grab Zambian wonderkid
Published 23:00 22/02/10 By Mirror Football
Recommend (5)
Tottenham last night signed Zambia’s brilliant young left-back Emmanuel Mbola in a £1million deal.
The 16-year-old defender has already clocked up a remarkable 20 caps for his country and was the youngest player in the recent Africa Cup of Nations.
Mbola, who plays for Armenian side Yerevan, will probably be sent to a club on the continent for first-team experience next season, although he already qualifies for a European work permit.
Spurs beat West Ham to the teenager’s signature and see him as a star of the future.
Zima Ndola on Tue, 23rd Feb 2010 10:38 AM
Great news indeed.The good news is that he qualifies for a work permit because he has already got 20 caps for Zambia.
Simms on Tue, 23rd Feb 2010 6:44 PM
Congrats to Mbola & all those who have supported & belive in the boy. I knw he will make Zambians en Totenham proud.
ba zambia on Wed, 24th Feb 2010 1:00 PM
mwaice wandi, do better than ba mbesuma, ukayeteya like patrice evra. E buumu iyi. e bwaume ubu tulefwaya, ubuyantanshi mumupila, not lyone all zambian players ni pa south africa, angola ata bane. mulungu God be with u mboola.