Zambia’s attacking options could be questioned but coach George Lwandamina has faith in the lads he has taken to Rwanda. The coach has to do with what he has.
Though there was a slim chance that Winstone Kalengo could make it, Lwandamina was banking on the towering Festus Mbewe in a scenario that Kalengo was unavailable.
Mbewe is in Mbala for military training while Kalengo has signed for AC Leopards in Congo Brazzaville.
Kalengo, Moses Phiri, Jimmy Ndhlovu, Adamson Mulawo, Mwila Phiri and Conlyde Luchanga… that was the top 5 scorers in the local league.
Lwandamina has selected three of those in his squad while Phiri and Ndhlovu were left out and he gave his reasons which are valid.
The ZamFoot Crew takes a look at how Lwandamina’s three man prolonged attack might line up in Rwanda.
Left & Right Wing: Mwila Phiri Jnr, Clatus Chama, Patson Daka, Chris Katongo, Spencer Sautu
Play the players in their best position but there’s something Lwandamina has seen Mwila Phiri Junior. His teammates call him Junior, so we will stick to that.
In order to accommodate Junior on the right flank, Lwandamina has been trying out Clatus Chama on the left wing. Chama delivered for Zesco United on the right last season but the problem is that Junior lacks pacy and is not an old fashioned winger.
In order to start with two, Junior, a left footed player, who loves to cut in is likely to start on the right while Chama on left.
Junior,[ now on the books of Zesco United after transfering from Green Eagles] has a goal threat in him though he is still raw for the level. But if one has to pick the top three players likely to find the target in Rwanda, Junior has to be there. He is good at finding himself into those goal scoring opportunities. One can’t be taught, it’s natural.
As Chama, he has to work on his fitness if he is to succeed at this level as earlier alluded to in the other blog. A lot is expected from the Zega Mambo wide man!
The options
Ideally, Chris Katongo would have been suited and offered more balance on the flanks or in the hole but the lack of quality attacking options has forced Lwandamina to push his captain into the lone striker role.
Spencer Sautu, is another option on the franks but it’s time ‘Mr Green Eagles’ started to deliver. This will be Sautu’s fourth major tournament within a space on 12 months and he hasn’t lived up to expectation.
As for Patson Daka, the kid was off the pace during training sessions at Nkoloma Stadium though he showed a bit pacy down the right flank were he was being deployed mostly.
If you talk to Under-20 coach Chris Kaunda, the man who worked with the boy at Under-17, he keeps on saying the team has to work for Daka as he is box striker. So play him as a no.9 and not wide!
Mwape ‘Tozizi’ Mwelwa – Lwandamina tried to play him there but he kept on drifting inside and didn’t offer much width.
Lone Striker – Conlyde Luchanga, Chris Katongo, Adamson Mulao, Patson Daka
Adamson Mulao was watched by his Dad, Alfred Mulao, former Young and Red Arrows coach during Zambia’s training session. He is in the squad because he scored 9 goals for Choma side Green Eagles but he is very raw for the international stage. One doubts if he will even make an appearance in Rwanda.
Then comes the 2015 Zambian Young Player of the Year, Conlyde Luchanga, The 17 year old impressed a lot during drills and looked fitter together with Daka and Sautu than most of the players. But during the actual game plan, the boy from Mazabuka didn’t really tick but he could be one for the future.
A close range he looks like a good talent and if he remains grounded, he could be ONE of the next big thing from Zambia.
ZamFoot Verdict: Zambia’s front three: Junior, Chama and Katongo as a lone striker
The only time Chris Katongo has played as a lone striker in his career was at South African side Jomo Cosmos and the Warrant Class Officer banged in 15 goals in 15 games for Jomo Sono’s side.
‘Tsunami’ had pace and power then but after watching him from close quarters at Nkoloma Stadium, the 33 year old has lost a yard of pacy in his game and was depending on experience plus his football brain.
His movement off the ball with Isaac Chansa was marvel to watch and at times showed how the Luchangas, Dakas, Chirwas and Sautus are really under-5s and have a lot to learn in the game.
But this is not the Chris Katongo of 2012. In December 2011, when Zambia set base at Zanaco’s Sunset Stadium, the Green Buffaloes man was a different class and his influence was highlighted in the blog ‘Inside Chipolopolo Camp.’
This time around at Nkoloma Stadium, he wasn’t the same player though rule him at your peril.
Zamfoot are becoming better and better…. The analysis coming out is like Mbesuma, classic come back.
All the best my people!!!!!!!!!
But why use ‘Pacy’ instead of ‘Pace?’
A pacy player is one who has pace.
Why didnt you also illustrate with a diagram to him?
Good lack Zambia
the lose in pace n other abilities is more reason the players should be left out. Chipolopolo started performing badly whilst Chris was there. I don’t see him as a solution.
You are going to be disappointed when performs better this time.
Brilliant analysis – keep it up guys
Let’s go get ’em Men!!!,, Formation clearly shows we taking the game to them!!!.
lets hope we havent gone there to learn a lesson or for a wakeup call bcoz its always our coaches startment after triple loonse. we ar waltchingB-)T_T
Chris will show us why he should have been left out of this…
Yes when you are Katongo and Chansas age you have to be economical on and off the ball. This a golden opportunity for those young players to learn something from them. Chansa could have scored a load of goals in the main Chipolopolo a few years back but he lacked the punch to convert because of his age. Those goals were left for Nathan Sinks to collect as he developed. Either way Chansa and Katongo can still add much value but it rest on the young ones to force the issue.
Even Mayuka must watch and learn the things Katongo was doing, he must learn to be economical with his game too because now is the time.
Daka will be called upon, he must go forward with confidence when he gets his chance. This is the tournament that made Singuluma.
Because of a blunt strike force the first game will be a nil all draw.