Zambia is expected to return to the training field today and coach Honour Janza has a full house.
Zambianfootball.co.zm takes a look at the Zambian gaffer’s expected line up.
The phasing out the old guard has been a major talking point but that’s a discussion for another day though it must be highlighted it is a step in the right direction by Janza. [Hold your fire the ZamFoot Crew will do a blog]
For now, the ZamFoot Crew takes a look at how the boys will line up.
Goalkeeper: Kennedy Mweene
Kapalayi will be fit for the game. His groin is now okay and on Monday, he did well in training.
Right back: Davies Nkausu
The AFCON winning full back is likely to walk straight into the team ahead Kabaso Chongo and Donashamo Malama. ‘Rio’ is one of the unsung heroes and doesn’t he remind you Manfred Chabinga from the class of 88.
Left back: Emmanuel Mbola
The 21 year old will continue in his position ahead of Rodrick Kabwe. He is one of the experienced players in the team.
Centre backs: Nyambe Mulenga and Stopilla Sunzu
The duo pick themselves but in case Sunzu fails to pass a fitness test then Chris Munthali gets the nod ahead of Aaron Katebe simply because he has played with Nyambe before.
Central Midfield: Nathan Sinkala and Chisamba Lungu
Nathan has been getting game time in Switzerland but he is Zambia’s main team. The engine room is the heart of the team.
In order to get the best out of Nathan, 18 year old Spencer Sautu comes into the picture and it is a worth a gamble to start with the Green Eagles midfielder.
Nathan needs space to dictate play in the team and with Isaac Chansa [he did the donkey work] around him, the Grasshoppers midfielder shrived in that position. If William Njobvu, Simon Silwimba and Shadreck Malambo lived up to their expectations and fulfilled their potential, we wouldn’t have thrown Sautu into the thick of things this early but he has to come to the party.
With Sautu starting, then Chisamba moves higher up as a no.10 and that means Given Singuluma’s position in the team is affected.
Wingers: Rainford Kalaba and Given Singuluma
Credit to Singuluma for re-inventing himself. At TP Mazembe he now plays in midfield trinity trio. Over the last three games, he has been Zambia’s best player.
But with Sautu starting, the balance of the team has come first and that’s the reason he is being pushed wide ahead of Bruce Musakanya, who has also done well.
It’s a bit unfair for Musakanya not to make the team but Singuluma is more economical and offers that defensive aspect to the team.
It is also worth mentioning, a bench with Musakanya and Lubambo Musonda offers a much better plan B than what we have had.
But Janza is likely to start with Musakanya.
Lone Striker: Emmanuel Mayuka
Despite him warming the bench at Southampton, Mayuka will get the nod because of what he offers.
He stretches the defenders and is always playing on their shoulders.
Many would argue that it’s time for fans favourite Sate Sate to start. During Monday’s afternoon session, he scored the best goal.
Evans Kangwa and James Chamanga are the other options
janza is going to hv a tough time coming up wit first 11
The sad thing is SS will not televise this game. I have looked at the SS TV Guide. I dont see the Mozambique vs Zambia game.
It’s never too late i hope but Janza should have started with the first game overhauling his team. However, the idea of playing one lone striker has not worked up to now and more the reason we have lamentably failed to find the back of the net and win away games. Its unfortunate for Nathan failing to get game time at Grasshoppers but we need to use form players. My bet upfront is pair Mayuka with Kangwa, these boys will sparkle.
Ba Zamfoot naimwe your front line of using a lone striker is blunt and why should you experiment by using Sautu in a serious game like this. We don’t need to defend with a small team like Mozambique we need attack minded players like Lubambo Musonda instead of Sautu and we need Evans Kangwa to partner Mayuka in a 4-4-2 formation and my best and straight forward line up would be;
1. mweene
2. Nkausu
3. Mbola
4. Sunzu
5. Nyambe
6. Nathan
7. Lubambo Musonda
8. Chisamba Lungu
9. Emmanuel Mayuka
10. Evans Kangwa
11. Kalaba
I have benched singuluma because he can be very quiet in a game sometimes, Spencer Sautu is good but he is not better than his captain at U-20 (lubambo), Musakanya for me needs to improve on his decision making, his confidence and his shooting.
Also given a Chance, Rodrick Kabwe can do better than Mbola based on what I saw during the CECAFA in Rodrick and that Kalaba should be reverted to Midfied (8) because his ability to cut thru a defense unlike in the wings where I feel he is normally under utilized and does not read his lines very well(always being called offside can be very frustrating to both the player and the fans.
Zamfoot with that line up (front line), we will be clobbered or come back with a nil all draw … we need to start with a natural goal scorer (Sate sate or Evans) up front. With one of those two in the starting line up, a goal is at least guaranteed. i therefore, should suggest that one of those two guys starts and urge the rest of the team to work over time and prevent allowing a goal. Janza should also note that Sate is not an impact player so startin him on the bench would not be wise. However, Evans proved against Uganda that he can change the game coming from the bench.
in a 1-4-2-3-1 arrangement : mweene
nkausu-sunzu-nyambe-mbola
sinkala-chisamba
singuluma-kalaba-kangwa
Mayuka
JUSTIFICATION IN ATTACK: Chisamba plays next to Sinkala and pushes forward whenever he gets chance in a box to box role and he is okay to play central and offers 60/40-defence/attack and can easily fill the lb position in case of mbola being exposed as i would give the wb’s roaming licence. Sinkala sticks to protect the CB’s and provide general balance in case of siege.
Singuluma ,kalaba and Kangwa play right behind Mayuka as attacking midfielders and whenever we get to the final third,they switch to strike mode as at this stage we are in a 1-3-4-3 arrangement with the front three at this stage being Kangwa,Mayuka and singuluma. in case of being under attack,kangwa can easily drop just like singuluma who i think marks better than Bruce who offers almost nothing on that end.
Whenever Mayuka goes wide in isolation or to fetch you expect either kangwa or singuluma to fill up front whom we know are able to do so with ease.
The Mambas will be in panic mode as they know only a win will do for them so they’ll go for broke from minute one and we know how well we’ll thrive on such.
IN DEFENCE: we shall drop back in a 4-4-1-1(4-5-1) arrangement,as every one tucks in incase of an attack.this will still provide us with chance to easily turn defence into attack.
thats wat i can say in summary. 0964 353 828, lets chat football
Players are okay to finish of Mozambique in Maputo now that we have a proven goal scorer in Kangwa. The coach need to blend well Kangwa with Sate Sate but I also feel Jacob Mulenga should be recalled for future games.
Okay this looks quite convincing.
It is what the players do on match day that matters.
As it is we have no other choice but to go for the jugular.
Elo cashupa nomba, panono ni moderation.
aha. even me moderation yachaica. ninshi nefwewo ba bad boys pa zamfoot?
Mayuka is our best striker his experience in england is ok but time for him to move on though and consider Bundesliga or dutch eredivise southampton will never and have never given him a chance.
With that line up then ba coach mwa loser,why putng one striker of whch fake mayuka.make 4:4:2 ifyabupuba tukaluse yu wil find moble of stone at k k airport.
Nathan hasn’t been getting game time check ur infor ba zamfoot..
Brilliant ba Zamfoot, the game will be open in Maputo and we expect a first and high tembo game,4,5,1 is the way unlike 4,4,2 been our tradition formation. Kalaba, Chisamba ,Sinkala ,Given Singuluma and Bruce musakanya. Our midfeld will be congested to stretch Mozambique defense,Mayuka should not miss any chance that comes on his way,go zambia
@ Billy the game will be on SS9 but not live,18hrs kickoff
Germiston South, I know but why can’t SS televise it live? Bafana’s game against Sudan will be televised on about 4 SS channels, SS4, SS Maximo, Supersport Select, and another channel I have forgotten. Why can’t they just allocate one channel to the Zambia vs Moz.? This is not fair at all.
The game will be live on supersport select 1. let’s partner singuluma & kangwa up-front, play kalaba in central midfield, lubambo & chisadinho inthe wings. BladinNkausu,Mbola,nyambe & Sunzu should form the back 4 while Nathan holds the midfield. Go Zambia Goal!
I have just seen myself on the above picture, am wearing a Nkana hut/cape with a green jersey and a scarf ba zamfoot shaniko full pic. This was during a friendly match with sudan nationa heroes stadium
The players in camp are our best in the country. its up to the coach to implore his tactics well.other than a win in Maputo Janza is to blame
All the best Zambia !
This one is for our late President MCS, MHSRIP.