The Zambia Under-15 national team arrived in Croatia on Tuesday morning to take part in the second edition of the “Vlatko Markovic” eight-team invitational tournament.
Zambia will start her campaign against North Macedonia on 23 September before facing Bosnia and Herzegovina the following day. They will then wrap up their Group B run against Romania on 25 September 2020.
This is the first time Zambia is Participating in an international tournament at the U15 level yet a lot will be expected from the Young Copper bullets. Having been drilled by Chipolopolo head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic for some time before being handed over to Chisi Mbewe and Aaron Kawangu, Micho’s blueprint and philosophy are expected to be exhibited by the team.
The team is expected to line up in three (03) possible formations as seen from training sessions and preparatory matches.
The first pick is the 4-3-3 formation with forwards high and wide. The second could be the 4-5-1 which eventually transitions to a 4-1-4-1 in the positive transition as the team may likely play 2 holding midfielders with 1 given the license to go forward on the positive transition. The third and last option could be the 4-4-2 which the boys have been accustomed to at there clubs and in which they may find it easy to express themselves.
Such is the flexibility that may be exhibited and puts the boys in a strong position from a tactical flexibility point of view.
In terms of Tactics and style, the following could be on offer.
HIGH PRESS
The team will press high and try to force the opposition into making mistakes in their own half.
The aim will be to defend high up the pitch and inside the opposition’s half to improve the chance of creation after breaking play and the team’s forwards will be the main instigators of this tactic by pressurizing opposing defenders, block forward passes, and force mistakes to win the ball close to the goal.
HIGH LINE
The team will push defenders high up the pitch, near the halfway line to narrow the pitch and suffocate the opponent. This will also help them play closer to each other which is a strength even when a negative transition is suffered.
It was widely practiced in training and could be a point of strength.
BUILD FROM THE BACK
The team is expected to build from the back and through the phases at a considerably good pace. With captain and first choice center back Lyson Banda being comfortable on the ball together with his fellow backline Marshalls, it shouldn’t be a problem to play from the back.
WIDTH FROM THE WING BACKS
The team will also play high wing-backs which is something that was constantly seen in the team’s training sessions.
When attacking the team will change its formation to almost close to a 3-5-1-1 or 3-5-2 with one defensive Midfielder dropping to make it 3 at the back, which automatically gives balance to the team hence giving the wing-back license to go forward and express themselves.
Young Power Dynamos’ Taonga Mkandawire already looks like an accomplished fullback in terms of knowing what function to perform on and off the ball and could be a constant outlet on the right.
The same can be expected on the left where Barcelona Academy’s Patrick is likely to start.
POSSESSION FOOTBALL
While it is said possession is not everything, it can still give you everything in a football match and Chisi’s charges will look to get the lion’s share of it and call the shots.
The boys are very comfortable on the ball and with Barcelona Academy’s Mbemba Phiri dictating matters in the middle the completed passes count may be on an impressive level.
It was observed too that ball retention is of prime importance with this assembly and so they may not rush to unfruitful forward forays.
HIGH TEMPO AND INTENSITY
Finally, high intensity a tempo seems to be part of the DNA for this collection of lads and they will seek to control matters with full implementation of a high tempo style. Given they all looked in top physical condition, it shouldn’t be hard to implement on match days.
All things considered, the lads look well prepared having been in camp for over three weeks and if what was seen during preparation is anything to go by, we could be treated to some lovely football.
It must be noted that the promise showed aside, this tournament still remains developmental and the project a futuristic one. It’s a whole new experience and our expectations must be kept in check but whatever the case may be, we can be positive about the chances of this young bright Zambian side.
Predicted starting Line up.
1. Martin Chulu or Perry Chipindi
2. Taonga Mkandawire
3. Patrick Malama
4. Emmanuel Kateka
5. Lyson Banda
6. Mbemba Phiri
8. Perkings Mwale
7. Paul Mwape
11. Emmanuel Mwanza
10. Patrick Simwinga (If he has shaken off his ankle issue as he had a slight knock in training)
9. Samson Malupenga or Thomas Mwambazi.
