The locally based Chipolopolo boys assembled for the 2019 Cosafa tournament this afternoon held to a goalless draw by South Africa U23 national team in their first friendly match in Durban.
Care taker coach Aggrey Chiyangi went with a double pivot midfield in the starting line up as he gave both Jack Chirwa and Benson Sakala starting berths against Amaglug-glug.
Captain of the side Adrian Chama was joined by Buildcon defender Isaac Shamujompa in the heart of defence with Gift Zulu playing on the right while Mwila Phiri took up the left back position. Green Eagles goalkeeper Sebastian Mwange started in goal ahead of Lawrence Mulenga.
Emmanuel Chabula and Chitiya Mususu started upfront while Austin Muwowo and Enerst Mbewe started on the wings. The Copper Bullets are preparing for Sundays COSAFA Senior Challenge quarter final tie against Malawi.
Zambia are looking to win the title for the first time since 2013 and have lost back to back finals to Zimbabwe, 3-1 in 2017 and 4-2 in 2018.
Starting XI
Sebastian Mwange
Gift Zulu
Mwila Phiri
Adrian Chama
Isaac Shamujompa
Jack Chirwa
Benson Sakala
Austin Muwowo
Emmanuel Chabula
Chitiya Mususu
Enerst Mbewe
Kamanga and company, this is SA un23 you fail to beat Meaning out un23 could have been beaten clean
No need of 4 defenders.
1. Sebastian
2. Enerst
3. Chirwa
4. Samunjopa
5. Adrian
6. Benson
7. Muwowo
8. Bruce
9. Tapson
10. Kambole
11. Mususu
After leading 3-0, then pack with 5 defenders
Ive Already said it, this coach knows not what he is doing.
Lets not be too quick to vilify the coach and players. It was a friendly for Pete’s sake!!!
Our players are obviously going to play cautiously to avoid injuries. Remember guys Like Muwowo are looking to use this tournament as an opportunity to seal deals in the PSL so he will never play at his full strength in a friendly. Take friendless for they are. Such a friendly is for the coach to gauge players and not necessarily to look for a win. Lets judge after Sundays game. Lets not jump the gun and vilify just because of a friendly.
its good that some warm up matches have been arranged, otherwise it will always be difficult to beat a team that has already gained momentum. I have observed that teams that join the the COSAFA at quarter final stage, especially Zambia, are usually rusty in their first game.Lets give Chiyanga time, remember the dead rubber AFCON qualifier against Namibia?
Why should you underestimate the U23 coz the U23 is as good as a senior team are you forgetting most of our players are U23, these young boys are full of energy and running all the time.
Inept coaches…. Drawing with an under 23 is proof that we have reached the end of the road with these player come coach clowns.
Football is now so technical that IQ matters. The fact that one played for chipolopolo does not mean they can coach. Get a good German or Serbian and you will get results!!!