Friday, March 29, 2024

Algeria 0-1 Zambia: Player Rater

The Zambia national team picked a historic vital victory in Constatine Algeria to move into second position in group B of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers. This was the first time Algeria were losing at home since 2003. The ZamFoot Crew rates the performance of the the Chipolopolo boys in the hard-fought victory.

Kennedy Mweene 9.5

What a game for the number one shot- stopper. He put up brilliant and critical saves including a 15th minute penalty. He brought the leadership and experience which helped calm the defense even when under massive pressure. He made save after save in the dying minutes to deny Algeria the much needed goal.  He slowed the game down to break the opponent’s rhythm and who would blame him when a world cup appearance is the only thing remaining on to be attached to his illustrious career.

Simon Silwamba 5.0

Simon seemed to be the weakest link on the Zambian backline. He was exposed in defense and forced Kondwani to play rather too deep in thwarting defence but when he was on the ball going forward, he showed great foresight.

Stopila Sunzu 7.5

The Russian based defender was in brilliant form and he put up a strong performance. He made important clearances and his partnership with Ziyo Tembo seems to be getting better by the day.

Ziyo Tembo 6.5

The Zanaco lanky defender showed great composure and experience when on and off the ball. He covered his full backs very well whenever they were exposed.

Fackson Kapumbu 5.5

A disciplined performance from the Zesco United left back. He conceded the penalty after he brought down the Algeria #4 Attal Youcef. This is the same player who came off the bench in the first leg and made a similar run but was lucky not concede a penalty in Lusaka. He cut off the Algerian speedy wingers quite well but he opted to boot all ball into the final third instead of playing out of defense.

Kondwani Mtonga 7.5

Mr dependable was at it again. He did most of the dirty work in the middle of the park. Kondwani’s work rate and height has made him almost irreplaceable. He stood strong right on top of the back four. Kondwani and Mwepu covered for each other well in a disciplined performance that saw then stay compact in the middle.

Enock ‘Computer’ Mwepu 7.5

What a lad! Started ahead of Russian based meastro Chisamba Lungu and his presence offered the extra creativity besides the tenacity in the middle of the pack. Even when dangerous Mahrez turned infield he ran into the pillar of either Mwepu or Mtonga. He made good interceptions and passes but hardly ventured too far ahead.

Justin Shonga. 5.0

Not the kind of game for the Nkwazi sharp shooter the strikers saw very little of the defense splitting passes to ran on to which he thrives on. Even when stepped up to take the free kicks which he is dangerous at, they were tame. The coach did well to take him off as his was lost in the crowd and his combination with Daka didn’t click.

Ernest Mbewe 6.5

What a shift he put in running up and down the right flank. He played to his strength and split the defence and managed to outshine them with speed. He helped at right back very well forcing Algerian skipper Brahimi to cut infield where he was also finding issues to go past Mtonga. He was replaced in the second half.

Augustine ‘Oga’ Mbewe.  7.0

Missed a clear chance to put Zambia ahead but made up for his wastefulness by providing a hard fought assist for Patson Daka when he ran at the Algerian directly infield from the right flank. His ability to drop back and help in defense was key for Zambia.

Patson Daka 8.0

One good chance in the game, one goal! He had a good game in a difficulty match. He did well to hold up play to allow the team to join in attack. Patsons strength in the air guaranteed his winning of the high balls.

Substitutes  

Alex Ngo’nga 4.5

Came in for Shonga to offer some extra punch and hassle in attack. He did the latter very well but was very wasteful. He had a one on one chance with the keeper but failed to convert before he wasted the rebound. It was a bad day for the aba yellow striker!

Donashano Malama

Not rated but he came on in the 89th minute for Patson Daka and he dropped straight to aid the defense on the right to help cut out the crosses.

Emmanuel Banda.

Made his debut in the last minutes of injury time and won’t be rated.

Wedson Nyirenda 9.0

Wada has continued his fine record with the National team since the loss to Mozambique. His starting XI call is not what most would have gone for as he played an open game at the fortress of the Desert Foxes. While pundits and analysts expected a packed midfield, he went for a 4 4 2 and his lads delivered with aplomb. He rallied his troops from the touchline and was their extra eye as he marshalled their positioning throughout the game.

He played without his lethal striker Brian Mwila but yet managed to gather a team that can play as a unit. Wada Wada continues to prove his critics wrong as he has gone 11 games with only one loss and two draws.

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23 Comments

  1. Don’t be decieved, Algeria is not Nigeria, though ‘GERIA’ ends it.
    I just can’t see how Zambia will manage to sneak out a draw in uyo, it a dream that cannever come to past.

    • No one is being deceived here. This is just football. The South Africa that was beaten home and away by Cape Verde beat Nigeria in their own back yard. Let us wait and see what happens on 7th October, 2017. Yes, Algeria is NOT Nigeria and ZAMBIA is not Cameroon. Everyone knows that fact.

  2. Don’t worry my man we will just give u a 2 nill score line then u will draw with Algeria 1 all then we will hammer Camerron at home. Come 06/11/17 will be celebrating going to the world cup.

  3. Wada picked a team suited for the game.it was clear the plan was to catch Algeria on the break as it was obvious they would throw everything at chipolopolo.The Nigeria game will be key. Anything is possible

  4. Ba Joxxy you will just keep on being negative whilst Nyirenda will slowly but grinding results. TULETASHA BANE!He has managed to bring together a team that only had TWO players(Sunzu & Mweene ) from the 2012 AFCON winning team in the starting line up.At least we are able to see what Wadawada is slowly putting together.This will be a team to reckon with in a years time even if we do not qualify to go to Russia.

  5. Ba kensplash, no doubt zambia is a team for the future just like Nigeria due to some young talents paraded by both teams. But i don’t knw y u guys are weighing ur achievment against algeria as a factor that u can beat us at home. Who told u we can’t trash algeria at home… Zambia are the easiest route to russia.

  6. I agree with your ratings. Though like @Soccergru i would give Alex Ngonga 2/10. He wasted about three clear cut chances. One of them he had a shot saved and the rebound instead of passing to someone who was in a better position he got selfish and still missed. The guy could not control the ball, looked clumsy and was out of sorts. Patson got only one chance and BANG IT WAS A GOAL!! Thats what separates good strikers from ordinary strikers. Ngonga needs to be in the CHAN team and not at this level

    Wadda should trust Emmanuel Banda to do the work as he had trusted Fashion Salaka ,Patson and Mwepu. The fisrt game he did not play Mwepu from the start but he saw what the young boy did. Emmamuel could have started instaed of Shonga. That left foot has goals. Mweene was at his best last night “Captain Fantastic”. Lead from the front Sunzu one of his best games since we won AFCON 2012. The entire team worked hard and for each other under a difficult and hostile environment. Silwamba needs to work on his positioning as a defender.

    Wadda well desrved 9/10 with his team selection and tactical awareness he is learning fast. I habe been his beiigest critic fast.

    • Yeah, Ng’onga is definitely not up to par. He can get into good positions, but his decision making is atrocious. Let’s not forget he was caught offside like 3 times in some really good situations. Then there was the one where he had the ball in a three on two break away and he chose to shoot from outside the 18. He has potential, but he is not as good or as ready as he thinks he is.

  7. I agree with your ratings. Though like @Soccergru i would give Alex Ngonga 2/10. He wasted about three clear cut chances. One of them he had a shot saved and the rebound instead of passing to someone who was in a better position he got selfish and still missed. The guy could not control the ball, looked clumsy and was out of sorts. Patson got only one chance and BANG IT WAS A GOAL!! Thats what separates good strikers from ordinary strikers. Ngonga needs to be in the CHAN team and not at this level

    Wadda should trust Emmanuel Banda to do the work as he had trusted Fashion Salaka ,Patson and Mwepu. The fisrt game he did not play Mwepu from the start but he saw what the young boy did. Emmamuel could have started instaed of Shonga. That left foot has goals. Mweene was at his best last night “Captain Fantastic”. Lead from the front Sunzu one of his best games since we won AFCON 2012. The entire team worked hard and for each other under a difficult and hostile environment. Silwamba needs to work on his positioning as a defender.

    Wadda well desrved 9/10 with his team selection and tactical awareness he is learning fast. I have been his biggest critic.

  8. Unrealistic player rating. Augu is one of those who played a cracker of a game. 8.0 and more would have sufficed for him. The defence was water tight until in the dying minutes of the game. If Mwene gets that much on the rater scale why cant the defenders be rated highly for protecting the goalie and even rescuing the team from conceding in cases where it seemed most likely?

  9. I told you guys Algeria is beatable. Nigeria you are next the ball is round. I don’t think Nigeria can contend the pacey of daka, fashion sakala, Mulenga and Brian Mwila Nigeria must fall. If bafana bafana did zambia can do it.

  10. Oh this site is back up?? Well good play by the boys. This is what we have been screaming at Wada wada. Include the under 20 boys and chipolopolo is a different team. I am still not convinced that Wada wada is the right man for the job, but we will put that debate aside and rally him and his troops. Good luck boys and well done thus far.

    • You are now being jealousy. appreciate when one does well. Your president Lungu has said no foreign coach, so what do you want. Tell me one coach who is better than Wada.

  11. In 1986 Algeria broke a 14 year home unbeaten record at Independence Stadium via 1_0 score line…yesterday Zambia got their revenge by breaking a 14 year unbeaten home record for Algeria.

  12. It’s ok to lodge constructive criticism, otherwise without it a coach feels like he’s got it all. That loss against Mozambique at home ruffled many a feather including me, but at the same time our point of fusing the Under 20 s with the seniors paid off together with the idea of having Beston Chambeshi as the right hand man. Edward Chilufya is another one who should be considered….in my opinion.

  13. Nyirenda has come with a lot of surprises.He is the first Coach to Lose to Mozambique and he is the only Zambian coach to win in North Africa.So anything can happen.

  14. Silwimba made a goal line clearance – he like Ng’onga is till raw. They will improve.
    Overall , though, what impressed me was the composure. The Algerian’s game is to feign and fake- they got the penalty that way. Although the penalty was saved , the guys looked unflustered. To me this looks like B Chambeshi influence . The U-20’s always looked composed at the recent World Cup and time after time they came back from being 1 or 2 goals down to even matters.
    Beston and Wedson deserve a lot of praise… FAZ too…normally we would have pushed the panic button and hired some fair skinned gentlemen…

  15. I disagree with calls for the inclusion of kalaba Nathan chisamba etc these players are expired kalaba must be replaced by youngsters such as Mwepu and Edward chilufya and don’t forget Kenneth kalunga who is even better than Alex

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