CHAN Preview: The ‘Battle for Zambezi’ goes continental

Zambia face neighbours Zimbabwe in the opening Group D match in Rubavu, Rwanda on Tuesday afternoon with kick off at 15h00.

Zimbabwe still remains as Southern Africa’s under achievers despite boasting natural talent which countries like Botswana, Namibia or Lesotho can envy for.

Though it’s a common trend to have non-performing football federations in Africa, in Zimbabwe the administrative hiccups have really costed the Warriors’ status as one of Southern Africa’s pride along side Zambia and South Africa. Even Angola can boast of World Cup appearance compared to Zimbabwe.

While Angola can look upto Mozambique as one of it’s biggest games, the rivalry between Zimbabwe and Zambia is fading up as South Africa is becoming the Chipolopolo Boys’ bitter rivals going by recent events.

To rekindle the rivalry, Zimbabwe has to win this afternoon as the two Southern African countries who are bordered by the Zambezi river go head to head at a continental tournament for the first time in three decades.

While Zambia and South Africa have been playing each other at African junior tournaments and African Cup of Nations, Zimbabwe only gets to taste themselves against the region’s powerhouse in Cosafa games and friendly matches.

Whilst Zambia had a two week camping spending a week each in Lusaka and Johannesburg, there was unnecessary disruptions in the Warriors camp with head coach Calisto Pasuwa at some point sacked and then reinstated.

In contrast to Zambia, who played Angola and Sundowns in practice matches, Zimbabwe were stuck training in Harare with no preparatory  games.

Head to Head: Zambia and Zimbabwe have meant 44 times with the Chipolopolo Boys having an upper hand with 15 wins and losing just 7 times with 22 draws.

Last 5 matches: Zimbabwe beat Zambia 3-1 when Nasha Mushekwi and Cuthbert Malijani dismantled Hichani Himoonde in Cosafa Final. Zambia revenged in 2013 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in another Cosafa Final. But in between that Zambia lost 3-0 in 2012.

The last two meetings has seen a 1-0 win for Zimbabwe and a goalless draw; the encounters which saw Zimabwe qualify to the last edition of the CHAN tournament at the expense of Zambia.

Zimbabwe has won 3 of the last 5 matches.

It’s the Zambezi derby and form doesn’t count in derbies!

Chipolopolo Boys coach George Lwandamina going for his first senior tournament as head coach has already said he is taking game by game and is targeting an outright win over Pasuwa’s men.

Lwandamina who was in-charge of the Under-20 in 2007 which reached the last 16 at the World Youth Championship in Canada is set to name an experienced side with only two (Salulani Phiri or Benson Sakala and left back Stephen Kabamba) under-23 players.

In goal, Jacob ‘SpiderBoy’ Banda will start between the posts while a back four of Dauti ‘Concrete’ Musekwa, Buchizya Mfune, Adrian Chama and Kabamba expected to shield the Zesco United shot stopper.

Massive experience in that back line with Chama returning to the squad after 2 years absence. He came on as a late substitute in the 4-3 defeat to Japan in a friendly. Kabamba has been on the scene for sometime as 6 years ago he attended trials in Russia along side Rodrick Kabwe and Stanley Nshimbi.

In midfield, Isaac Chansa and Mwape ‘Tozizi’ Mwelwa are sure starters but Benson and Salulani has to fight for the holding role.

Upfront, Zambia lacks real quality and hence skipper Chris Katongo will get the nod as a lone striker with Cletous Chama and Mwila Phiri Junior likely to support him from the flanks.

Key players: Isaac Chansa, Chris Katongo – If the two old guards will be game then Zambia might win this one.

Player to watch: Stephen Kabamba – All eyes will be Katongo and Chansa as well as Tozizi in the hole but looked out for left back Kabamba’s runs down the wing. He is also a threat on set pieces as he offers aerial threat. At Cosafa 2009 Under-20 he scored two goals and last season he was Green Buffaloes’ top scorer with 5 goals.

Off the bench: Conlyde Luchanga – Lwandamina is aware that Luchanga is not at the same level as Clifford Mulenga or Fwayo Tembo were in 2007 but this is the boy he will be banking on off the bench. Luchanga has this aura about him and one can never know but if you are betting man, put your man on the boy as Zambia’s impact player off the bench.

Possible scorer: Mwila Phiri Jnr – He has that natural instinct on finding himself in goal scoring opportunities and again bet on him to be among the scorers.

Holding Midfield Role: Benson Sakala v Salulani Phiri – Its close call  but whoever will start should be able to do a job for the team

Lwandamina Tactics: This is the formation ‘Bashi Mofya’ prefers though he would been more effective with more fast, skillful and pacy wingers and unorthodox striker or simply a goalpoacher.

Rewind to 2009 when Renard had Henry Banda and Jonas Sakuwaha as his main strikers with Kennedy Mudenda and Simon Bwalya is other options.

Then red hot Ignitius Lwipa behind Given Singuluma.

Compare to the 2016 attacking force.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Zambia XI: Jacob Banda – Dauti Musekwa, Buchizya Mfune, Adrian Chama, Stephen Kabamba – Salulani Phiri, Isaac Chansa- Mwila Phiri Junior, Mwape Mwelwa, Clatus Chama – Chris Katongo