REFLECTING ON WEDSON NYIRENDA’S CALL UP’s

Zambia National Team coach Wedson Nyirenda has called up only 8 Foreign based players for the 4 Team Tournament to be held in Zambia later this month. The eight called include four based in Europe and these are CAF 2017 Young African Footballer of The Year Patson Daka of Austria based club side FC Liefering, Daka has had a good season at the Red Bull feeder side scoring 3 goals for them in his 19 appearances and chipping in with four assists and that has earned him a call up to the senior team were he already has a goal [cup] to his name, he is a serious doubt for the four team tournament as he picked up an injury in his last League match. Also called up is Daka’s team and country-mate Enock Mwepu, Mwepu too just like Daka is having a good season, he is the second highest goal scorer with 6 goals in 19 appearances, and he too has featured for the senior team, he is seen as a direct replacement for Malian Amadou Haidara who is the engine for their main team [Red Bull Salzburg]. Belgium based midfielder Emmanuel Banda has also been called up, the Oostende man never in doubt has been as solid as ever at his club scoring and chipping in with vital assists that have helped their club [Oostende] move up to mid table position and hopefully he can keep that momentum up in their upcoming UEFA Europa League playoffs. Fashion Sakala is another player that has received a call-up and rightfully so seeing that the former ZANACO striker recently created some history for himself early this month when he scored vital goals in the Russian Football National League Cup that took his goal tally to 12 goals in competitions thus making him the first ever Zambian to score over 10 goals in Russian Football.

Coming to Africa, Nyirenda has called on Justin Shonga and Augustine Mulenga of Orlando Pirates, Salulani Phiri of Polokwane City and Rodrick Kabwe of Ajax Cape Town of all whom have seen good time at their clubs to warrant a call up but one would have expected coach Nyirenda to use this FiFA calendar window to extend a call up to players who he has never assessed but are doing fine at their clubs and are eligible for a National Team call up. Players doing fine abroad for instance like Obrey of Young Africans Football Club in Tanzania, according to current statistics Chirwa is best performing Zambian player abroad when it comes to goals scored, with the Konkola Blades product [Chirwa] scoring 12 goals in 16 League appearances and chipping in with 5 assists plus 1 CAF Champions League goal in 1 CAF Champions League appearance this season and 1 Cup goal binging his total goal tally 14 goals in less than 20 games in all competitions. Another player worth mentioning is Lubambo Musonda of Armenian League club Gandzasar, he has never featured for the Zambia National Soccer Team in Wedson Nyirenda’s over 530 days in charge, his performances this season in the Armenian top flight have been impressive with his formbook reading 6 goals in 18 games [all competitions].

The good thing about this FiFA window is that it has come at a time when the National Soccer Team technical can have ample time to fix the mistakes that have always sent them to the so called drawing board we keep hearing about. One might be tempted to ask yet again, is the National Team only for a few privileged individuals? Call ups to the National Team should be based on present performance and not past, why is it that Russian based striker Evans Kangwa has been snubbed yet again but is having a good pre-season and already demonstrated just this past weekend that he is picking up from where he left out from last season. Over in Israel, Emmanuel Mbola has been playing his socks off week in week out but yet again has been snubbed. What of the TP Mazembe trio comprising Rainford Kalaba, Nathan Sinkala and Kabaso Chongo, why have these consistent performers been left out, all these are questions that need seriois answers. We have new kids on the blocks like Valance Nambishi of Silkeborg IF in the Alka Superliga in Denmark, this would have been the time to try them out, this is not a cup competition, it’s merely friendlies which teams like Zimbabwe and Angola are using to gauge most of the untested players. The list of call ups should have even gone as far as Wigan Athletic were we have Mwiya Malumo and to an extent Blackburn Rovers were we have Chanka Zimba. If you are thinking of AFCON 2019 and World Cup 2022 Qualification it’s through such Friendly windows that you start building.

This might be the only window the technical bench have before we go into the marathon of AFCON Qualifiers in September and from the looks of things it looks like we have barely scratched the surface because we have so many good players that Wada would have added to his list of call ups just like his friend in Zimbabwe has done.

All in all, Wada would have done better by adding more Foreign based players

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ANALYSIS ON LWANDAMINA’s CALL-UPS

Zambia National Team coach George Lwandamina is under pressure to deliver 6 points in the final two games of the AFCON Qualifiers and judging by his call ups the gaffer seems to be gambling and this in turn might not turn out well for the Boys.

Lwandamina’s first big task will be to get the #Chipolopolo boys past the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau in what i have dubbed the ‘Thriller in Bissau.’

Read my Player by Player analysis on Lwandamina’s call up’s

Kennedy Mweene: He is currently Zambia’s most capped player with 108 CAPs and despite having less game time at club side Mamelodi Sundowns in the South African top flight the shot-stopper has that experience of playing at the top level and in big games that gives him the edge over other keepers George Lwandamina has called up. Zambia has won 41 games Drawn 31 and Lost 31 games with Mweene between the sticks.

Danny Munyao: Munyao is one of the most underrated goalkeepers in the Nation. He has been under the radar for a long time and is an excellent back-up. Munyao with time will replace Mweene.

Racha Kola: He has fallen down the pecking order at club side Zanaco were he is now playing second fiddle to Toaster Nsabata. He did not deserve the call up.

Defenders:

Buchizya Mfune: For his age one would think his legs would have given up but Mfune is a class act and one of the pluses Lwandamina has roped in. He has been consistent at club level and National Team level thus far and we can only hope he’ll continue with the good work when the #Chipolopolo hit Bissau.

Stephen Kabamba: Still raw and not yet the complete product, with time he could go on to become one of Zambia’s best left backs. He tends to be clumsy at times when it comes to tackles and trekking back and will have to be at his very best if he gets to come up against tricky Guinea Bissau winger Toni Silva in the ‘Thriller in Bissau.’

Adrian Chama: Not the most physical of Center Backs one will ever find but he has been putting up some impressive performances at Green Buffaloes, it’s a wait and see situation.

Davies Nkausu: The Former SuperSport defender has had a very good season at the Giovanni Solinas coached Free State Stars squad. Nkausu can play three positions, RB, CB or as a winger and this comes as an added advantage. He can be considered a modern day Wing back in that he is able to trek up the field to join in with the attackers and trek back. Good Call!

Stoppila Sunzu:  Played 12 League games and 4 cup games at French Ligue 1 club Lille, scoring 2 goals. Sunzu is the most reliable player Zambia defender the Nation has had for the past 5 years and that’s why the likes of Olympique Marseille are also chasing after his services.

Kabaso Chongo: Still regarded as a valuable piece at Linafoot side TP Mazembe and he’ll battle it out with Nkausu to see who gets the nod. He has the physique and has gained valuable experience playing at a top club like Mazembe, he earned his call up judging by his performances at club level where he has set up 4 assists thus far.

Boyd Mkandawire: He is one of the surprise call ups, another one for the future but should have paved way for the likes of Emmanuel Mbola in all fairness.

MIDFIELDERS:

Steward Chikandiwa: At long last, the Nkwazi captain who has been scoring crucial goals for club side Nkwazi FC has finally received his call up.

Paul Katema: Has the potential but it’s absurd for him to receive a call up ahead of performer’s home and abroad. The talent is there but can he deliver in crunch moments?

Chisamba Lungu: The midfield magician missed Zambia’s last 2 games against Congo Brazzaville due to injury but this call up definitely gives the Team a boost considering his ability.

Salulani Phiri: SP has been solid for ZANACO and has always put in decent performances at National Team level.

Lubambo Musonda: Wing wizard Lubambo Musonda missed out on UEFA Europa League qualification at club side Gandzasar Kapan in Armenia. He has always delivered at National Team level and without a doubt deserved the call up. He’ll need to up the tempo this time around though.

Rainford Kalaba: The Master is yet to come to the party and has made a few cameo appearances at club side TP Mazembe. Whether or not he can make things happen is for all to wait and see but one thing is for sure and that the master can never be written off.

Chris Katongo: The ever inspirational Chris Katongo, a born leader and a hard worker. Chris has done it all and he will be the Key Man players should look up to.

Clatous Chota Chama: He showed glimpses of what he is capable of at National Team level during the CHAN tournament and this is the big stage now. He’ll play back-up to Rainford Kalaba, and we can only he lives up to his potential.

STRIKERS:

Collins Mbesuma: Collins Mbesuma’s goal tally of 14 goals in 30 League games is close to an average of a goal every two games. He has been one of Zambia’s best strikers over the years and will be one of the key players fans can look out for in Guinea Bissau.His ABSA Premiership golden boot Award should motivate him to score goals.

Winston Kalengo: The former ZESCO United striker has been on fire in the Congo Ligue 1, his 14 goals in 21 League games and 15 in all competitions are enough to warrant a call up to the National Team.

The Congo Ligue 1 has been on break for close to a month and the two friendly games before the Guinea Bissau encounter should be enough for Kalengo to get his shooting boots back in frame. His last goal for Leopards though was 54 days ago in Leopards win over La Mancha.

Evans Kangwa: 11 goals in 32 games at Ligat Winner side Hapoel Ra’anana and came out third in the running for the Best Foreign Player Award.  The Zambian striker has at times has failed to replicate club form at National Team level but hoping this will be chance for him to prove the naysayers wrong.

Conlyde Luchanga: Made his way into the National Team through the back door considering that he has not scored that many goals as compared to the likes of Emmanuel Mayuka. Luchanga is a good striker having made the grade at Mazabuka United when he was still a school boy at St Edmunds stunning many all the way till he made his way to MTN Super League club Lusaka Dynamos.

Luchanga will be one to watch out for in the future, and should be given time but throwing him into the frying pan against Guinea Bissau when we have many proven strikers is not a good thing.

KEY PLAYERS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT:

Fackson Kapumbu: He is superb, but Chicken left him out.
Emmanuel Mayuka: Mayuka should have made the squad, he has been playing well week in week out. Emmanuel Mayuka has played at the top level and the game against Guinea Bissau is a ‘do or die’ and players like Mayuka have the ability to deliver the goods.

Emmanuel Mbola: He was listed as one of the best defenders in the Ligat Winner in Israel. Lwandamina has never been a fan of Mbola going by his call ups.

Noah Chivuta: Chivuta is still going strong in the Toyota Thai League. The great Herve Renard always used to give Chivuta a call up but Lwanamina is of a different view. He deserved a call up !

James Chamanga: Chamanga is one of the best strikers and is still going strong. A final swansong of affording him a place at AFCON 17 will be a befitting sendoff to this great son of the soil. He is one of the Best African Footballers in China and going by his performances and should have been in coach Lwandamina’s plans ahead of the Guinea game.

Lewis Macha: He is not covered by many Zambian Media outlets but the Mozambique based Zambian striker has been scoring vital goals at Mocambola outfit Ferroviario de Maputo.

VERDICT: Not the best of squads but anything is possible, with the right mentality a positive result can be obtained in Bissau.

 

WHY ARE GOOD PLAYERS BEING SNUBBED

Zambia National team coach George Lwandamina has selected 6 foreign based players for next week’s friendly against Egypt. The foreign based players selected are: Nathan Sinkala, Collins Mbesuma, Stoppila Sunzu, Lubambo Musonda, Rainford Kalaba and Kennedy Mweene.

This match serves as a last test for the National Team before they embark on their World Cup Qualifiers in just under six weeks time and one with a heart for the Zambian game would definitely come to the conclusion that Lwandamina is toying around with the Egyptians judging by the number of foreign based players he has called up. To date fans are yet to see what the likes of Rodgers Kola can offer when called up, the former Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona man scored 14 goals last season in the Ligat HaAl and has been a constant absentee when it comes to National selection despite putting up good performances at his club in Europe. Noah Chivuta is another name that deserves a mention as well, the Toyota Thai Premier League based Chivuta last played for the Country in 2013 in a friendly encounter against Brazil at the Birds Nest Arena in China. One who follows the Thai Premier League will be quick to attest that Noah is one of the best midfielders in that part of the world and at a time that Zambia is lacking a figurehead in that position he could be of some help. Two other players worth mentioning are Lineker Mwiikisa and Evans Kangwa, currently these two individuals top the goal scorers charts in their respective leagues and their hard work ought to be rewarded, such friendly games against top sides are what hard work players relish but only Lwandamina knows why he has decided on leaving them out.

To date George Lwandamina has guided the team to victories against Namibia and Kenya with 1 draw against Guinea Bissau in the AFCON 2017 Qualifiers; he is yet to face a top ranked country. The former Red Arrows and current ZESCO United FC Head Coach has not kept to his word as with regards National Team call ups, and hopefully one day he will come to realize this.

The National Team take on Sudan in November in an important 2018 Russia World Cup Qualifier and this game would have served the right purpose had all the foreign based players that are performing well been called up. Hoping they will be no repeat of the World Cup Qualifier we had with Sudan three years ago were a boardroom decision had to be passed after our 2-0 loss.

ZAMBIA SET TO BEAT CABO VERDE

CABO VERDE VS ZAMBIA

The Blue Sharks of Cabo Verde take on Zambia tonight in a final Group B AFCON 2015 encounter in what promises to be a winner takes all contest provided Tunisia beat the DRC in Bata.

CABO VERDE

The Blue Sharks are ‘giant killers’ but have not lived up to that reputation at this Nations Cup tournament, having qualified ahead of the Chipolopolo boys as group leaders one would have expected them to have sealed their passage to the quarter finals by now.

2 Draws in their opening game and with a final game against Zambia tonight, its winner takes all and hope Tunisia beat the DRC on the other end.

Coach Raul Aguas is expected to implore his usual 4-3-3 formation with the likes of Ryan Mendes and Garry Rodriguez playing a huge part and the focal point being Sporting Lisbon midfielder Heldon, who scored crucial goals for the Blue Sharks during the qualifiers.

A win for the Blue Sharks today will take them to the quarter finals, but it seems that their journey ends tonight as it might be a ‘mission impossible’ going up against a wounded Zambian team.

ZAMBIA

1 draw in the opening game and a defeat against the Carthage Eagles in the second game is all the Chipolopolo can boast about this time around. Zambian coach, Honour Janza will be without Southampton based striker Emmanuel Mayuka, who picked up a groin injury in the previous encounter against Tunisia.

Morale in the Zambian camp is high and don’t be fooled because Honour Janza has an arsenal of unknown gems yet to be unleashed at this tournament and this in itself gives Zambia the edge over Cabo Verde. Players like Patrick Ngoma and Spencer Sautu have been watching from the sidelines, but could be in for a taste of the action tonight should they be called upon.

The Combination of Rainford Kalaba, Chisamba Lungu, Lubambo Musonda and Kondwani Mtonga in the middle of the park is exactly what the doctor ordered and you can expect Mtonga to stay on as a holding midfielder as the rest of the trio advance into attacking positions thus opening up spaces for the likes of Given Singuluma and Evans Kangwa.

Honour Janza has yet again promised the fans that ‘Total Football’ will be on display and it will definitely yield goals if anything is to go by.

Prediction

When the two teams met back in November 2014 in Ndola for the second leg in the AFCON Qualifiers, it was Zambia who triumphed 1-0, thanks to a brilliant goal from Nkana striker Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba.

While FiFA rankings would suggest Cabo Verde are the stronger side for this match, their performance so for at this tournament gives real reason to doubt their chances of progressing past the group stages.

Zambia will do enough on the night, and a win is guaranteed today and  should Tunisia hold DR Congo in Bata then it will be celebrations all around Zambia as they’ll march on to the quarter finals of the competition thus setting up a date with the ‘Red Devils’ of Congo.

Player to Watch

Chisamba Lungu: The Russia based midfielder is expected to be in the starting line up today, with his bag of tricks and nifty footwork at display today, Lungu will certainly leave many questioning as to why the dynamic winger did not draw the start against Tunisia. On his day Lungu can be a marvel to watch and today might just be the day.

Score Prediction

Cabo Verde 1 Zambia 2

LOOK OUT FOR THE RAPTORS

Forget last seasons heroics and get yourself geared for this season because the Raptors are set to take off where they left from.

The key to this season has already been archived, why do i say so? Simple, the fulcrum of the squad i.e. coach Dwane Casey and key players [ DeMar DeRozan, Amir Johnson, Kyle Lowry, Grevis Vasquez, Jonas Valančiūnas, Patrick Patterson and Terrence Ross] have stayed on and that is all we need to see us making the playoffs again.

Dwane Casey bases his game on defense and it was very vital that GM Masai Ujiri kept faith in Casey, ever since his arrival Casey has rejuvenated the Raptors, we are now a force to reckon with and with the season just days from tip if we may just be saying #FearTheNorth yet again come playOffs.

ZAMBIA VS MOZAMBIQUE [PREVIEW]

Look Out for my match preview analysis for the Zambia Vs Mozambique game to be played in September. Will be posted here on Mon August 11 2014

Tanzania Vs Zambia : Brief

 

A fair game against the main Tanzanian National Team by our Developmental squad, the pitch was in a bad state and didn’t really favor our style of play. I was impressed with Ronald Kampamba, showed good technique when he headed that ball home, but as for strike partner Festus Mbewe, he just couldn’t get his finishing touch right and hopefully he can polish things up and come back stronger in the game against Burundi, the Midfield was ok and it was great to see Patrice playing with two defensive midfielders so as to  to bring the opponents into a defensive block and then aggressively press the ball. We conceded a poor corner and i hope defenders can tighten up in the next game. Overall it was a fair result considering most East African Countries are used to playing under such conditions

 

Final Score : Tanzania 1 (Morad Said Hussain)Zambia 1 (Ronald Kampamba)

EGYPT VS ZAMBIA : SQUADS AND MEN TO WATCH

 

Egypt Vs Zambia: International Friendly :

Head to Head Record:

Egypt Vs Zambia

Games won: Zambia – 6 

Games Won: Egypt – 9

Games drawn: 5

SQUADS:

ZAMBIA:

Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (M. Sundowns), Joshua Titima (PDFC), Toaster Nsabata (N. Rangers)

Defenders: Jimmy Chisenga (R. Arrows), Kabaso Chongo ( K. Mine Police), Bronson Chama (R. Arrows), Hichani Himonde (TP Mazembe), Christopher Munthali (Nkana FC), Stopilla Sunzu (TP Mazembe), Emmanuel Mbola (Hapoel Ra’anana),

Midfielders: Chisamba Lungu (FC Ural), Noah Chivuta (Nakhon R), Bruce Musakanya (R. Arrows), Fwayo Tembo (Unattached), Julius Situmbeko (PDFC), Rodrick Kabwe (Zanaco), Nathan Sinkala (TP Mazembe) Felix Katongo (GBFC, Zambia),

Strikers: Collins Mbesuma (OPFC), Rodgers Kola (KAA Gent), Ronald Kampamba (Nkana FC), Emmanuel Mayuka, 

Player to Watch : Nathan Sinkala : He is like a Dynamo in the middle of the park, he relishes the big occasions and this fixture will surely go down as one he’ll look to showcase his talent, expect the Egyptians to chase shadows when he sets the tempo come Thursday.

Coach: Patrice Beaumelle : a coach iv’e chosen to nickname the professor, his tactics are always on point, he’ll come good, all he needs is time.

EGYPT:

Goalkeepers: Sherif Ekrami (Ahly), Ahmed El-Shennawy (Masry) and Mohamed Sobhi (Ismaily)

Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Mohamed Naguib, Rami Rabia, Ahmed Fathi, Ahmed Shedid, Sayed Moawad, Sherif Abdel-Fadil (all Ahly), Hazem Emam, and Mohamed Abdel-Shafi (Zamalek)

Midfielders: Mohamed Abou-Treika, Hossam Ashour, Walid Soliman (Ahly), Hossam Ghaly (Lierse, Belgium), Ibrahim Salah (Al-Orouba, Saudi Arabia), Hosni Abd-Rabou (Ismaily) , Mohamed El-Neny (FC Basel, Suisse), Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim ‘Kahraba’ (Luzern, Switzerland).

Strikers:Ahmed Eid Abdel-Malek, Mahmoud Abdel-Razek ‘Shikabala’, (both Zamalek), Amr Zaki (Al-Siliya, Kuwait), Mohamed Nagy “Gedo” (Hull City, England), Mohamed Salah (FC Basel, Switzerland

Player to Watch : Mohamed Salah: The most dangerous Egyptian player at the moment in my books, Salah will punish any defense he catches napping, very skillful with a football brain and will be hoping to get on the score sheet against Zambia, he’ll have to contend with the twin towers of Hichani Himonde and Stoppila Sunzu, expecting him to play at 110 %.

Coach: Bob Bradley: The clock is ticking for Bob, this might be his last Friendly as Egyptian Coach and he’ll be hoping to end it on a high, a good coach who loves the game of Football or soccer as they call it in America.

Look out For Part 2 .

 

WHY ZAMBIA WILL BEAT GHANA

 

Friday 6th September is the biggest day on the Calendar for any Zambian soccer fan,the game against Ghana in Kumasi is poised to be a thriller of which bookmakers are already favoring Ghana. One thing is for sure and that is the Chipolopolo boys are more of a unit as compared to the Black Stars, the Black Stars might have recalled all their stars out of retirement but that might not be enough to break through a Chipolopolo unit that has been together for over 8 years. 

Ghana are beatable and that’s a fact, over the last 12 months the Chipolopolo boys have beaten Ghana twice and thus hold an upper hand, some people might say the likes of Dede Ayew and Mubarak Wakaso were not their in some of these meetings, and to those we would also say Fwayo Tembo and Jacob Mulenga were also not present for Zambia, this will be a thriller and one that will see Zambia emerge victorious, the only threat the Ghanaian’s bring to the table is Asamoah Gyan, without a doubt one of the best strikers in Africa, i see him scoring against Zambia and that wont be the winning goal because i see Zambia coming out tops in this one, the likes of Chris Katongo,  Joseph Musonda  and James Chamanga would want to leave on a high and that high will be World Cup Qualification.

 

Look out for Part 2 tomorrow

In Herve We Trust

 We are out of the CHAN but all hope is not lost. We were on a high and at some point defeat was to be expected, our local lads have failed to qualify for the CHAN but that’s not the end of the World. 

We still have the World Cup Qualifier against Ghana to look forward to, it wont be easy but one thing is for sure, we are going to beat Ghana in Kumasi, we’ll always support Herve Renard, the technical bench and the FA as well as our National Team win or lose: ‘In Herve We Trust’.

I’ll write something up next week on the Kumasi Thriller: Don’t Miss