Zambia has been placed in Group B alongside North African powerhouses Tunisia, northern neighbours DR Congo and the fast improving Cape Verde.
With Frenchman Patrice Beaumulle opting to dump the Chipolopolo and jumping at the chance to work with his mentor and compatriot Herve Renard in West Africa, Zambia was left with no option but to appoint Honour Janza as the national team’s caretaker coach.
One of the first things Janza did was to start fusing in new blood at the expense of the old guard. Janza’s tenure as Chipolopolo Boys coach will be remembered as ‘Mr Tinkerman.’
He only named a successive same line up in the final two qualifiers as he has been chopping and changing.
And that ruthlessness has seen big names like Chris Katongo, Jacob Mulenga and Collins Mbesuma all axed. Others are Felix Katongo, Joseph Musonda and Jonas Sakuwaha while despite promising that Clifford Mulenga will be given chance, Janza has backtracked on that idea.
Isaac Chansa, Noah Chivuta and Francis Kasonde have never been considered.
While Given Singuluma’s comeback has been one of Janza’s success story, many are yet to believe that he has the pedigree to take Zambia to the glory days of 2012.
At the moment there are strong calls for the inclusion of Indian based Kondwani Mtonga.
In form Rodger Kola and South African based midfielder Mukuka Mulenga are the other players many want to see handed AFCON ‘trials’ while there’s a general consensus that Fwayo Tembo should first sort out his club issues before getting more game time in a Chipolopolo shirt.
For instance, the handling of under-20 striker cum winger Charles Zulu. Handed starting berths against Cape Verde and Niger but left out completely in the final two games.
One thing Janza managed to do was to pick up Zambia’s first competitive away win in open play [in almost 2 years] against Mozambique, a feat last achieved by Dario Bonetti and something which eluded Renard on his second spell.
With Janza set to name his final provisional squad next week, whispers have started coming out urging the FAZ Technical Director to re-call some of the experienced players.
So should Janza recall the old guard or keep faith in the new blood? Have Your Say
jacob and katongo should be called back for experience sake especially the arabs who are very rough even the likes of cape verde and congo DR.the two have been grate for zambia in the past afcon games.Even Bronson chama should be called to help sunzu and nyambe mulenga.
Jacob Mulenga Yes, but not Ba Katongo. Ba Katongo umwela walipwa.
Katongo shud come back to the team..it iz serious business we need him 2 patner with mayuka in front there.
Katongo and Jacob must be included.
my good frend. chansa can come bak but not katongo. lets move on without him
Beatrice Sata and Margaret Phiri would be good inclusions
Too bad I’m not Janza but if I were, I would bring in prolific Striker Roger Kola n Chris Katongo.
Good job Zamfoot for upgrading our soccer site.
Katongo,Jacob,Felix,Fwayo,Isaac and Kola YES…….chamanga, mbesuma and Himonde, musonda joseph NO
Fwayo, Felix and Isaac Chansa?
In my opinion, from the “old guards”, Coach Honour Janza should call Jacob Mulenga, Roger Kola, Kondwani Mtonga, and Bronson Chama. Mukuka Mulenga should also be called from the pack of forgotten young tuks.
Ba Chris, Chamanga and the rest of the old guards are not necessary.
the current guyz are ok…
Temptation of bring them back is to high I think let’s move on work with what we have.Old guns have saved and worked their lungs out we applaud them. We have seem them in their better forms and worst form, what they are able to contribute at national team level.
We need progression and continuous development
Old guards? What are our objects are there immediate or future goals. I would call for continuous improvement and development.
We need performers whatever their age might be.
A team is built on the talent and skill possessed by players and age should not be a factor. Andrea Pirlo is doing wonders for Juventus but his age football wise is advanced.
One of ltaly`s best Paulo Maldini was ever green and played till forty
I urge Honour Janza to call performers and let consistent performance plus skill be the only determinants to wear the Chipolopolo jersey.
Thanks zamfoot for upgrading the site looks beautiful
All we need is to balance the,I don’t like the way people calling the former champions as tired legs.if need be,old experienced players should make the slot into chipolopolo squad depending on their performance
Ba Chris katongo no
Joseph Musonda maybe he can even be more good than kabasi chongo
Collins mbesuma yes he may not be prolific has he caused to be but he stll has the brain of football in him than mayuka
Mukuka mulenga yes
Clifford mulenga no
Fwayo maybe
Felix katongo no
Muntali no
Jacob mulenga yes for tactical approach
On a serious note
I think Zambia should try this U17 parson daka
Lastly we seem to have good creative midfielders as oppose to defensive one
In conclusion Zambia has always produced good defenders like eston mulenga,john solo,changwe,kapambwe,wawa,litana n tana both Elijahs why are we still stuck with muntali kanshi?
Janza must find someone to partner Sunzu ASAP otherwise we will be exposed terribly at afcon
Or just call of them am sure we can make four good teams those dropped can form a choir and support their friends
haha..form a choir..hmmmm
The issue is on with back line; its way too porous! We were not punished mu ma qualifiers for the simple fact that we met opposition who were not tactically strong…and well luck was on our side as it usually is. Teams like Tunisia can definitely make a meal of our lapses.. Cape Verde have played us enough times to know which wing to kill us off and DRC has pacey players and lethal counter attacks to be stopped by the likes of Munthali and ill positioned Donashano…
Solution:
Lets maintain faith in the ‘new guard’ but strengthen the mid field with someone who can track forward in attack and backward to cover defenders.. Kondwani Mtonga perhaps??
Defense….Oh my!!! that right flank was childs play against Cape Verde.. Davies Nkausu can be partnered with a disciplined no nonsense defender..kaya how Dennis Banda fares on this score… If the local lads in the summoned camp will not fit the score..then lets have Joseph Musonda.. I know people will talk of age but if uv seen him play lately then u know he can still deliver… That’s my 2 cents worth.
A disciplined defense is needed like yesterday!
Now that’s the point there Joseph is better than kabaso n malama combine
We need experienced players,I can tell you guys that our team is not yet balanced. We need Joseph Musonda,Jacob Mulenga Mbesuma Mukuka Mulenga back.Janza my brother open your eyes.We need experienced players only those who are performing good in their respective clubs
We need experienced players,I can tell you guys that our team is not yet balanced. We need Joseph Musonda,Jacob Mulenga Mbesuma Mukuka Mulenga back.Janza my brother open your eyes.We need experienced players only those who are performing good in their respective clubs .period
we need one experienced defender ,midfielder and topman to cool the steam when opponents attacks and these are non other than Joseph musonda,isaac gatusso chansa and for holding the ball upront is Jacob mulenga.just these three old guards and we are done.
s this guy Ndumba Makeche Zambian?
There seems to be a lot of hype concerning him. May the coach consider giving him a call.
VaJanza please work on our defence frailties. A strong defence wins tournaments.
Chipolopolo iyeee
Reply
Janza is a gud coach.he shud also call the old blood.coming to chris katongo,he is gud but the problem nowadays he is selfish with the ball.let janza bring in cliford.but again y dont faz visit eastern province?
FAZ visiting eastern province for what??????? Why not other provinces??? Useless comment!!! Smxmm
y do i always develop demons weneva sum 1 talks abt janza and faz. I ask again. do u get paid to defend faz and janza on this site
y is it that wen pepo talk abt janza and faz u develop demons and attack them. so I ask again how much do u get paid for defending faz and janza
Forget about the old guard. There time is up.
@ Anonymous you can’t analyze our team. Don’t be carried away with this new crop of players…. Chipolopolo is not yet balanced.I had a word with Davis Phiri in Johannesburg.I just hope Janza will conssender the likes of Jacob Mulenga,Mukuka Mulenga Joseph Musonda,Mbesuma and Kola.
@ Anonymous you can’t analyze our team. Don’t be carried away with this new crop of players…. Chipolopolo is not yet balanced.I had a word with Davis Phiri in Johannesburg.I just hope Janza will conssender the likes of Jacob Mulenga,Mukuka Mulenga Joseph Musonda,Mbesuma and Kola.Period
I just realised that most of the comments are coming from youngsters. Very soon, all of us Old Guards will be blocked from commenting on Zamfoot.
if u talk like that calling pepo youngsters. who will respect u.
Agree with you, seem to have inferiority complex issues.
Chris Katongo yes if he can work in a support role!
Yes, Felix Katongo should also be considered, he is playing now too!
Those are the only 2 i think will bring the most benefits.
the Katongo brothers,Isaac Chansa, Kondwani MMtonga, Mukuka Mulenga and Jacob Mulenga should be called and assessed.
Mbesuma, Chris,Felix, isaac and jacob are needed for guidance in the team but the rest should be fresh blood.
The current team that qualified Zambia to afcon is inexperienced and immature. Defence wise it struggled.All areas need beefing up starting with the midfield, defence and attack. That is why I have suggested these players to be called and assessed.
i Think we need more physical Presence If im clearing honest especially at the spine of the team. i would seriously consider mtonga, kola or jacob and chama.I can’t comment how much we need this as in 2008 we were laughing stock as we coudnt win aeriel battles and got walloped.Straight through the middle we need this elsewhere fine.Just an opinion based on observation. We also need a suprise player like in 2012 sinkala and chisamba. Try patson daka or sauto for a wild card. God Bless mother zamba and im out
Chris katongo,felix katongo jacob mulenga,isaac chansa,king devid mbesuma and musonda we need them no time for experiments pliz ba janza..!
Thanks zamfoot this is looking good
new site is hard to navigate. bring back our site
I agree the site is too busy
@Stumpy give the thumbs up to Zamfoot. This is much better. Moreover, thy can kalipila these westerners who like intruding and provoking us ati iwe no insults here! Lol
If we are to bring the old guards then it should either be collins mbesuma not that katongo
I think Zambia is at the crossroads and if the situation is not well managed, there will be no proper succesion and graduation. Not all the old guards must be sent packing. But guys like Chris who is likely to be distractive can be sent packing.
We definitely need the experienced players in the team. AFCON is no child’s play. The first job of qualifying was done. Now is to infuse inform experienced players who can read and dictate the temple of the game. At the back we definitely Joseph Muzo Musonda – his boots are too big for the boys fit. Midfield Mtonga/Kasonde to help Nathan. Mukuka and Chris should be back for strategic/tactical reasons. Strikers this is Jacob’s cross. He has to carry this one or kiss goodbye to Afcon. He has been consistent. Him along side Sate Sate, Mayuka, Evans, and probably Jackson Mwanza.
we can balance a team in 4 weeks,all zambia should just keep quiet coz we wantd a zambian coach nd we do.lets give chance 2 de new guyz 2 deliver
We need all the old heads back in the team. We can’t afford to go with only small boys to such an important tournament! The likes of Christopher Katongo and Isaac Chansa should be brought back in the team. Jacob Mulenga should not be left out too!
I hope Janza is reading this, I mean we can’t all be wrong and him alone right.
Lets move forward,we need to build for 2018 wc.For the 2015 afcon maybe Khondwani Mtonga,should be given a chance the rest of the old guys like chris,chamanga,jacob,isaac,musonda,felix had a fair opportunity and their time is up for now.
GUYS DON’ FORGET THE GAME ABOUT WORLDCUP SEMI FINAL BRAZIL VS GERMAN . PLEASE MR JANZA GET CHRISS KATONGO AND ISAAC CHANSA JOSEPH MUSONDA PUT PURE SUIT OF THE SQUAD