Zambia takes on Zimbabwe on Tuesday in the Rwanda 2016 CHAN group D opening fixture against arch-rivals Zimbabwe in the ‘Battle of Zambezi.’
With the vision of blooding in Under-5s [youngsters] abandoned, it is clear that the message from Football House to coach George Lwandamina has been clear, deliver CHAN trophy or atleast get to the semis OR face the sack!
Lwandamina has obliged  and the Zesco United mentor has gone for experience.
“The national team is not for nurturing talent [Under-5s], It’s for experience and winning games and titles,” a FAZ ExCom said before the team’s departure for Rwanda.
Goalkeeper: Racha Kola v Jacob Banda
Though there’s debate that Zanaco goalkeeper Racha, striker Rodger Kola’s elder brother should be picked ahead of Zesco United Jacob ‘Spider Boy’ Banda, thats not the case on Lwandamina’s mind.
‘Spider Boy’ will get the nod especially that he brings experience with it being his second CHAN tourney.
Right back: Donashamo Malama v Dauti Musekwa
There a lot of to similar players in this Zambia CHAN Squad. Midfielders Benson Sakala and Saulani Phiri can operate in defence while Donashamo does play in midfield at Nkana.
Kabwe Warriors’ Solomon Sakala can play on either full back position.
Lwandamina should have left out even two or three players and added more attack minded players.
It’s unbalanced squad because of so many defensive minded players at the expense of skillful and trickery wingers.
Verdict: Zesco United veteran Dauti ‘Concrete’ Musekwa is expected to start. Musekwa is as hard as a concrete. He is comfortable across the back and there was no need to carry Solomon Sakala as cover at left back when the veteran defender can do a job there.
Left Back: Stephen Kabamba or Solomon Sakala
The Green Buffaloes left back Kabamba has come off age and had a good season last year. Â He was Buffaloes’ top scorer last season with 5 goals in all competitions.
Centre Backs: Chris Munthali, Buchizya Mfune, Adrian Chama, George Chilufya, Benson Sakala, Saulani Phiri, Dauti Musekwa….
The list can go on and on…Another case to show that too many defensive minded players. Add Jack Chirwa to that list as well.
It’s about the right to partner Buchizya Mfune at the heart of the defence and from the way the team was shaping up in Lusaka, his club mate at Green Buffaloes Adrian Chama is set to partner him.
Verdict: Buchizya and Chama likely form the defensive pairing in Rwanda.
Lwandamina’s probable Back4: Dauti Musekwa, Buchizya Mfune, Adrian Chama and Stephen Kabamba.
Buffaloes connection
Three of these are from Green Buffaloes and had a solid season while Musekwa is from Zesco United.
Actually Lwandamina had Buchizya and Chris Katongo in midfield during his spell at Buffaloes with the likes of Felix Katongo, Dudley Fichite and Noel Mwandila in wide areas while Nathan Sinkala was a bit by bit player.
Bring that chan trophy, it will be a booster to another trophy in 2017.
Defense is concrete, big chance for Katongo to shine….
Hmmm so you’re telling that Buchizya Mfune has played with CK before?
it is true, and for years I thought that Buchidza was a Rwandan, thats why never made national team.
These boys are showing utu ma chest in training kwati ninshimbi sana. Come match day, they dance pelete. Awee mwandini.
LWANDAMINA WHY DID U LIVE OUT MOSES PHIRI AND JULIUS SITUMBEKO?
too late for that of leaving out
This team is not balance too much defensive minded player from the way am looking at it there will be no zambian flair only chipante pante.we needed some skill in the team ba zamfoot sure.
We are looking forward for the tuesday game. It won’t be easy all we need is three points only
What happened to the new assistant coach , waiting for Tuesday
Zamfoot crew, I wish you did a complete analysis of the whole probable line up. I hear Buchizya has been partnering Salulani Phiri in defence while Adrian Chaama has been playing as a holding midfielder. Can u confirm or deny that. Who is a better holding midfielder among all the players in camp, Benson Sakala, Jack Chirwa, Salulani Phiri, Donashano and make shift Adrian Chama? I may be wrong but I would go with Salulani Phiri or Benson Sakala.
nkausu played 90 minutes today, we need him for a national duty.
Mwatampa!!u need to relax it was just his first game…
Mwatampako, give the player time it was his first game in months..coz I also play 90minutes so tell the coach to consider me.
This is a useless trophy bring it to zambia for what. I won’t even celebrate it. The f00ls at faz failed where it mattered at under 23 now they think they can brain wash us with garbage. This is just a developmental tournament it’s not something a nation should be desperate do win.
surely we need this trophy seriously. it will be a good introduction to into 2016
i remember wen we heard that rena has droped sunzu fro da mid 2 da defence. Then thomas nyirenda in da midfield, we o cried becoz we didn’t trust sunzu in our defence. Am jst observing like that man, zamfoot is that man stil wth us?
@John, even if you don’t celebrate who cares.By the way, who do you think are in Football circles?You are just a boy,people can just tell from in put.
zed fans we r gud @ critising but y can’t just sapot de team in camp since critics won’t change anythin. Imagin if de coach listened to all of us wit our line ups, then every player pa zed qualifies coz we ve own choices. lets remain united & sapotiv.
katongo, chansa nd mfune 2018 kaya
John we don’t care….Why do u hv to comment on every chan post dubbing it useless.