Name: Francis Kasonde
Age: 35
Caps: 39
AFCON: 4 (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013)
CHAN: 1 (2009)
Honours: African Cup of Nations winner -2012
CHAN -Bronze (Third place) -2009
Nickname: Mr Reliable
Where is he? Physical Trainer at Forest Rangers
Jersey no. 2
Position: Defender, Midfielder
Previous Clubs: Nkwiza, Power Dynamos, Mufulira Wanderers, Al-Suwaiq, (Oman) Al Hazem, Sabath, Salgaocar (Both Malasyia), TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
Last Match: v Burkina Faso (2013 AFCON)
Debut: v Botswana (2005) Kalililo Kakonje – Francis Kasonde, Lloyd Mumba, Misheck Lungu, Joseph Musonda – Christopher Katongo , Isaac Chansa, Ian Bakala , Gift Kampamba, Felix Katongo – Jacob Mulenga
Francis Kasonde is one of the unsung heroes of Zambia’s 2012 African Cup of Nations triumph.
His versatility and never give up altitude earned him a ‘Mr Reliable’ tag.
The Nkwiza product made his debut for Zambia in a friendly match against Botswana.
A month later, Kasonde was up against Seydou Keita and Soumalia Coulibaly’s Mali at Chililabombwe’s Konkola Stadium in a Germany 2006 World Cup Qualifier.
Coulibaly cancelled out Linos Chalwe’s opener before Collins Mbesuma salvaged a win for Zambia with a late winner.
Kasonde only missed out on the 2006 AFCON Squad on the eve of the team’s departure for Egypt under Kalusha Bwalya and Ben Bamfuchile.
Two years later, he made the squad to the Ghana 2008 AFCON then under Patrick Phiri but was unused substitute in all the three group games.
In 2009, then with Herve Renard in-charge, Kasonde scored at the Cairo International Stadium in front of 130, 000 fans as a young Zambia side battled to a 1-1 draw with the Pharoahs of Egypt in a South Africa 2010 World Cup qualifier.
Thereafter, Kasonde became a vital cog in Renard’s teams.
Whenever the Frenchman wanted to nullify the opposition, secure a win or stablise the midfield, Kasonde was his man to go.
In his early years, Kasonde played either as right full back or centreback but between 2009 and 2013, he was used mainly as a holding midfielder, a position he delivered for Zambia.
His first major honour for Zambia at the CHAN tournament as Zambia came third in 2009.
Angola 2010 AFCON was his third major tournament within a space of three years.
Then only 23 years old, he only featured in 2 matches [v Cameroon & Nigeria] as a substitute.
Zambia bowed out of the tournament after loosing on penalties to Nigeria in the quarter finals.
Equatorial Guinea/Gabon 2012 African Cup of Nations
In 2012, Renard introduced a deep lying 21 year old playmaker who wasn’t physical.
In order to allow Nathan Sinkala to play to his strength, Renard decided to form a triangle with Isaac Chansa at the tip with Sinkala and Kasonde at the base.
While many fans will remember the likes of Emmanuel Mayuka, James Chamanga, and Davies Nkausu, Kasonde is not talked in the same breath.
He is unsung hero!
Here we go, in the group stage, Kasonde started both games against Senegal and Libya.
With Zambia leading 1-0 against host Equatorial Guinea, Kasonde was sent in from the bench to nullify any attacks.
He started both the quarter and semi final against Sudan and Ghana respectively.
Kasonde even provided an assist for Chamanga’s third goal against Sudan.
With Renard preferring a 4-4-2 formation in the final against Ivory Coast, Kasonde was sacrificed and watched from the bench as Zambia mesmerised Africa with breathtaking football.
Completed 4 matches, came off the bench once. Played in 5 matches except the final.
Having been to 4 African Cup of Nations tournaments, Kasonde played his match for Zambia at the 2013 edition against Burkina Faso as a substitute.
Francis ‘Mr Reliable’ Kasonde was usually mistaken for former Kabwe Warriors player Francis ‘Koje’ Kasonde.
He played professional football in Oman, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.
Mr Reliable retired at Mufulira Wanderers.
Currently he is working as a physical trainer at Zambian Super League side Forest Rangers
Ye i agree….made you feel good in the team. Somehow. The same with Jet Lee, Boyd Mulwanda. Cool as cucumber.