Zimbabwe picked a record 5th Cosafa Cup Cup title at the expense of Zambia when they beat the Chipolopolo 3 – 1 in the final of the 2016 edition.
It was a deserved title for the Warriors of Zimbabwe who were more incisive in front of goal on a day Zambia failed to replicate the form that got them to the final.
The Wedson Nyirenda coached side looked to be in control until a blunder by goalkeeper Allan Chibwe saw Mutizwa K beat him to a high ball from Moyo for the bug striker to head home in the 22nd minute.
Zambia was still finding space in the opposition defense but they were always hurrying their final shot and even when they had a great chance to level a minute after conceding, Brian Mwila failed to nail home a good cross from Mwila Phiri on the left.
Mike Katiba then got a head injury after a mid air collision with a defender and Lubinda Mundia was introduced in the 39th minute.
The lanky striker did not waste time to draw Zambia level when he headed home a short corner seconds after coming on.
At this point, the stage looked set for a thrilling second stanza but after the restart, Zimbabwe looked like they wanted it more as they poured forward with wave after wave of attack.
In the 54th minute the Zambian defense was beaten and only saved by Chibwe despite the referee unfairly waving offside.
A minute another header beat Chibwe but he was lucky to see the ball come off the upright but eventual man of the match Talent Chawapiwa picked the rebound to beat his marker and shoot through a congested area for their second goal.
Despite Nyirenda replacing Chungu at left back for U20 international Boston Muchindu, there was no stopping Chawapiwa as he went on another run and managed to send in the box a good cut back which was firmly shot at goal by Ocean Mushure to beat Chibwe in the 67th minute.
There was no coming back for Zambia despite Brian Mwila and substitute Godfrey Ngwenya coming close late on.
This is unacceptable
Zambia Achilles heel is bad defence…and there is no coordination from the back to midfield…they have resorted to huffing the balls upfront which means we lose the ball consistently and then put too much pressure on ourselves in catching up.
Three players chasing an attacker which resulted in that cut back to unattended player for the Zimbabwe goal.
Where are the runs off the ball..or supporting the man on the ball? Where are the wingers and where us a natural number 10…we need to be moving the ball around and looking for those through balls and runners opening up…make it difficult for the opposition to figure your build up..Zambia fame is too plain…to predictable…at this rate…just use the U20 for all future assignments with one or two veterans
Zambia Achilles heel is bad defence…and there is no coordination from the back to midfield…they have resorted to huffing the balls upfront which means we lose the ball consistently and then put too much pressure on ourselves in catching up.
Three players chasing an attacker which resulted in that cut back to unattended player for the Zimbabwe goal.
Where are the runs off the ball..or supporting the man on the ball? Where are the wingers and where us a natural number 10…we need to be moving the ball around and looking for those through balls and runners opening up…make it difficult for the opposition to figure your build up..Zambia game is too plain…to predictable…at this rate…just use the U20 for all future assignments with one or two veterans
Its a shame indeed for the chipolopolo, I saw this defeat coming. Coach wada wada looked clueless, pliz let u20 be the senior team and fuse in 4 or 5 senior players who are still useful.
Too many players from lusaka who don’t have a winning mentality. I mean players who have never won anything in life as footballers can’t have that spirit to fight.
Wada could have the credencial, but for once lets agree, the chap has failed. Tell me what mentality has he put in the boys. Cowardice mentality, lets him go before he completely destroys the National Team, aleya fya!!!!
He keeps saying our main objective is to build, but i mean i have never seen good football since he joined the team.
How can he build the team with amateur players like Adrian chama webstar mulenga jack chirwa infact that team is full of amateurs only justin shonga and brian mwila are the only good players in that team
A good coach builds a team within three months.A national team is different from a club.Building for how long?
I hope this is not the team WADAWADA will take to Swaziland for CHAN. CHAN is AFCON, but for lacal players so lets not embarass ourselves at this level. Get the Cleatus Chamas, Tembo Fwayo, Kampambas Ronald andoheer more credinble players. Infact Zanaco out of CAF games, we can in the Ziyos etc.
Why is zanbia not calling the likes of mayuka? Stoppila sunzu? To me these 2 players are the true backbone of zambia. I see alot of people here dissing mayuka at his club level but what you fail to see is that some players are not built for clubs, some.players are built for the NATIONAL team, an example of this is Asamoah Gyan of the Ghana black stars, gyan is not the best striker at club level but when he puts on his national jersey its do or die to the point he will score against anyteam in the world this is because his passion for his country is far more greater than club level. So put Mayuka on the front line and he will perform better than what you see him do at club level. Word to the wise
The U20 you even claim should suceed the national team are overgrown and are at their peak. They wont last more than 2 years. @Akomfour (sounds akan) Mayaka and Gyan are hardly good at club level but Mayuka is lazy and Gyan is hardworking
Wedson Nyirenda has broken the record of Zambia National team coaches in terms of losses. Which other coach has lost more matches than him?
The Coach is a good as an assistant. He can’t carry our National Team. We have been saying this for a long time.
Forget 2019 Africa Cup qualification and WC don’t even think about it. He had the opportunity to beat Cameroon in their own back yard and all he came out with was a draw. That was a disorganised and off form Cameroon we played. They have become stronger after reorganising the team.
WE ARE GOING NO WHERE SLOWLY WITH THIS COACH.