Green Buffaloes seem to have started the season right where they ended last year when they edged 2015 runners-up Zanaco to claim a spot in the finals of the 2016 season opening Samuel Zoom Ndhlovu Charity shield.
Buffaloes, arguably one of Lusaka’s most popular and successful teams has ignited hope in the supporters that they may once again be enjoying continental football having last played in the CAF Confederations Cup in 2008.
Coach Bilton Musonda has done a great job to mold a tactically disciplined team whose strength lies lies in the defence which has seen the team lose only once in the last 16 games in all competitions. Despite finishing fourth, Buffaloes were not prolific in front of goal only managing to score more than two goals in one game (against Forest Ranger) the entire 2015 season and only twice did they ship in more than 2 goals (against Zanaco and Green Eagles) the entire season.
In the goal keeping department, GBFC seemed well secure there with bulky Fred Silwamba proving an able deputy to long term favorite Davy Kaumbwa who was outstanding in the Charity Shield semifinal against Zanaco. Silwamba received a call to the national team in 2015 under coach Honor Janza and his best game of the season was when he kept out a rampant Zesco United at Levy Stadium and was voted man of the match despite GBFC losing 2 – 1. Kaumbwa has been an able pair of hands and is still remembered for his exploits for the Chipolopolo at the CHAN 2009 tournament.
GBFC have had a stable back-line which has not only stuck to defensive duties but has significantly helped the attack. Kabamba and Chama were key for Buffaloes in the 2015 season scoring 7 goals between them with the former emerging as the clubs top scorer while the latter equaled the soldiers prized strikers which include U23 international Friday Samu, and former Chipolopolo skipper Christopher Katongo (despite joining the club mid-season).
Even national team coach George Lwandamina could not resist naming three of Green Buffaloes’ regular back four in his CHAN squad.
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The GBFC midfield is efficient when it comes to battling for the ball and making it difficulty for opponents to play. Built on the bedrock Jack Chirwa in the holding role, Buffaloes boast of the likes of exciting Felony Sitonya, Chileshe Kangwa and Sebastian Mwansa in more advanced roles.
The weakest link for Buffaloes has been the frontline. The likes of Samu, Diamond Chikwekwe and Lottie Phiri all failed to light up the show and their efforts in front of goal were even eclipsed by full back Kabamba, needless to say even their win in the Charity Shield was courtesy of a goal by central defender Chama.
While they have a quality striker in Katongo, the skipper may not have the energy to carry them through to the finish line. It is clear that Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina knows how to get the best out of the 2012 Afcon winning skipper which was not the case with coach Musonda. While Musonda maintained Katongo as team captain, one will remember when the WO1 (Katongo) was substituted in 31st minute in a game against Nkana at Woodlands stadium in October to the chagrin of the supporters in what seemed to be one of the lowest moments for the player. But he bounced back with a good performance in the Barclays Cup final in November and was Zambia’s best player at the 2016 CHAN tournament.
With Katongo not likely to be their silver bullet going forward, the ‘Soldiers’ may have to turn to the likes of Jasper Masialeti the boy from Luena Buffaloes in Kaoma who is a promising talent.
New signing Happy Kaunda who scored 5 goals for Konkola Blades last season will have to step up and bring the form he showed for the relegated side if GBFC have to stand any chance of ending in the top two. Kaunda showed that he could be the man for the job in the season opening Charity Shield.
Do you think Green Buffaloes have what it takes to finish in the top two?
Nice article ba Zamfoot. Looking at this on paper, any club who’s top goal scorer has only 4 goals does not look like a title contender. It sounds like they have the best defense in the game though, and if Chris Katongo can deliver the much needed fire power, then the can be title contenders.
It sounds like Chris will need help too though. At his age, you can by no means place all your eggs in that basket. Lets also not forget that the number of teams have gone up, so there are more games to play in the upcoming season. They will need veterans like Lottie Phiri to step up their game or rummage through the transfer market and find a striker that can link up with Katongo, or be on hand to deliver. Keeping fingers crossed for them, they are certainly a good club.
By they way, an article covering some of the title contenders, pretenders, and likely to go down would be really interesting. This read was refreshing, because those of us who are far away are sometimes left out in the dark on local Zambian football.
My money is always on Zanaco, if not in Zanaco…lol
Its very possible for GBFC to win the league the coach did his best last season and am pretty sure that with the availability of Christopher Tsunami Katongo, the team will always be motivated. All the best GBFC number one fan.
By the way ba zamfoot what about Katongo’s move to Angola??? Any update ba zamfoot
Chris Katongo is still around. He trained with Buffaloes today.
If coach Bilton can use his players well then will see a different GBFC this season. hes got alot of promising talents in those Chan guys.
True Buffaloes have been steadily building their team over the past few years and they seem to have ripened.
I support the blogger who mentioned a complete team by team analysis of all Premier League members in alphabetical order. I feel it would be nice and an exciting point of debate now and at the end of the season. We would then be able to see where the predictions where right, fair, wrong, or biased.
Of course of ZAMFOOT has the time and resources. All the same thanks for the article. It was a good read.
It’ll b ZESCO & POWER DYN. this season.