Stand in Chipolopolo Boys coach Beston Chambeshi has named a 30-man provisional squad for this month’s Cosafa Cup.
The 18th edition of the regional tournament will start on the 26th May and end on the 9th June in South Africa.
With outgoing Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda set to leave for a 9 month spell in Spain for a coaching course, Chambeshi has been elevated for his first ever senior job.
The Nkana coach who guided the Zambia Under-20 to the quarter finals of the FIFA World Youth Championship in Korea last has kept faith in goalkeeper Mangani Banda.
There’s also a place for Nkana defender Boston Muchindu even though he is a bench warmer at Nkana Stadium.
While Shadreck Malambo has been starting ahead of Jacob Ngulube in the Nkana midfield, Chambeshi has gone for the latter as his shows his inconsistency with selection.
Though a host of Zesco United players have been left out due to their involvement in the CAF Champions League, right full back Shemmy Mayembe has made the squad. Mayembe has failed to dislodge Simon Silwimba at his club.
Again instead of the young Joseph Phiri, who has scored three goals and one of high scoring Zambians in the league, Chambeshi has picked his Red Arrows teammate Chrispin Sakulanda. Sakulanda is still to command a starting berth at Nkoloma Stadium.
Brian Mwila is one of the big names to miss out after just scoring one league goal for Buildcon. Mwila hit an astonishing 8 goals in 10 appearances for Zambia in 2017 but he has been in poor form.
Later on, the team will be beefed by foreign based players.
Orlando Pirates duo Justin Shonga and Augustine Mulenga, Austrian based duo Enock Mwepu and fit again Patson Daka plus Emmanuel Banda from Belgium are all expected to the squad.
Armenian based Lubambo Musonda might be considered for a recall after hitting 8 goals for his club.
It will be interesting to see if the veteran duo Kennedy Mweene and Stopilla Sunzu will be recalled.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Kenny Mumba (Red Arrows), Mangani Banda (Zanaco), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Charles Muntanga (Nkwazi)
(DEFENDERS)
Billy Mutale (Power Dynamos), Martin Kaonga (Nakambala Leopards), Thandie Mwape (Kabwe Warriors), Ziyo Tembo, Henry Besa (National Assembly), Shemmy Mayembe (Zesco United), Boston Muchindu (Nkana), Paul Banda (Lusaka Dynamos)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Jacob Ngulube (Nkana), Noel Nyirenda (Nkwazi), Kelvin Kapumbu (Lumwana Radiants), Clatous Chama, Collins Sikombe (Lusaka Dynamos), Larry Bwalya, Kelvin Kampamba, Benson Sakala (Power Dynamos), Jack Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Ngosa Sunzu (Buildcon), Chrispin Sakulanda (Red Arrows), Charles Zulu (Zanaco)
(STRIKERS)
Ronald Kampamba (Nkana), Peter Mwangeni (National Assembly), Martin Phiri (Zanaco), Youremember Banda, Diamond Chikwekwe (Green Buffaloes), Emmanuel Chabula (Kitwe United)
This is a rubbish, I don’t understand this local coaches anymore. Let Faz start planning ahead, very soon they will be qualifiers for Olympics 2020,there is need to assemble under 23 team, and this is the opportunity.
There was Kalusha, then came Kalaba.
After that, there has been no talent found.
COSAFA should be a competition where you feature high talents, backed by experienced players.
So:
Chisamba
Chansa
Singuluma
William Njovu
All should have been included plus 10 highest talents.
Those players listed above can’t even beat Nakambala Leopards.
Clowns, why not leave out pros and use potential players these coaches are sooo corrupt bestons never used and actually he even dropped this kid sakulanda for Korea what has improved with his game this time when he can’t even start if not playing 90 minutes
This is disheartening. So this man is selecting bench warmers and then is going to bring guys like Patson and Mwepu. In the past, COSAFA was an opportunity to try out fringe players from obscure leagues who were not consistently in the starting lineup during qualifiers.
Need to continue that tradition.
This Is A Very Fantasic Team Whch Will Win The Cosafa Cup.Its Good That Wada Has Gone To School. Kkkkk
players like MWEPU,PATSON ,EMMANUEL, SHONGA, AUGUSTINE I don’t think they are needed on a mini competition like this????///
I only appreciate that he knows better the then his under 20 players; because Emmanuel Banda, Enock Mwwpu, Patson DAKA, Fashion SAKALA deserves the starting line up and automatic Augustine Mulenga, Alteza .
The majority of the players are under 23,.Personally Ave No problem, because he is using the COSAFA,to build under 23 National team.Am happy that the majority of old legs have been left out.95% percent of the selection is Under 23.Its time to use Young players as the building blocks for the future national team.Boston muchindu,and chrispin sakulanda are a good pic to me,because of their age and natural skill,are better those ticking right. I will always have respect to Coaches who have a Passion for young talent and naturing,it in a progressive way.Now it’s not time for glory, but to help young players for future big games.Even for CHAN,tornament young players were suppose to be the majority. GERMAN Is a good example, they help young talent to mature using small tournaments. Let him also think of Spencer sauti,prosper chiluya,lubambo musonda,luchanga and ngosa sunzu.Beston chambeshi,has my 100% support. Besides, that he is local.I don’t like foreigners directing and managing our talent.
Lets not crucify Quick Silver. He knows what he is doing. He has a proven record. Lets support our own before engaging a foreign . He has a proven record
Am 100% fan of Zambian supper league, Ave come know some of these players,I watch them.I feel no need to sarcastic toward the coach,but give him a benefit of Doubt.CHAMBESHI has never disappointed Zambians when given the opportunity to pic a team and compete at a tournament. He was given the opportunity to form a formidable u20, which he did well.He won the COSAFA u20,AFRICA u20 and finalist World cup U20.To me those are good credentials of a good.He also helped lumwana,radians to be on a good position On the log, not only that, He helped Nkana to come out 3rd position in the league. Ave closely followed his performance in coaching.I know we all have different taste,and that is understood, But let’s wait for the COSAFA tournament to start.Our use of words is important, let’s avoid sarcasm towards local coaches,more especially those who have done good for country .I feel it’s unfair to Judge someone badly before even the outcome. Someone who at one time brought glory to this country through his coaching career. Beston,chambeshi is the u23 coach.let him use this opportunity to build a strong u23 national team.He has passion for young talent.He is just acting as a coach.Soon someone else will be there and he will go back to manage his u23.No need to be vulgar or sarcastic towards him.Just as much as individuals view point is respected,it is important to have a sense of humour as we air our concerns. The way each soccer looks at matter will not always be the same,no wander we turn to respect the opinions of others.And not imposing our taste on others. ZAMFoOT, try to be balanced in your reporting avoid bending on one side of the coin.ZAMFOOT try by all means to be neutral, and let soccer fans suggest and provide comments .Zamfoot, you are like the chairman of meeting, who is neutral in presenting the matter until the Body present at the meetings handles it.we appreciate you for giving us this platform but try to be balanced. So that each one expresses his opinion according his own understanding.
Well said km…i think certain people don’t follow the local league that much….so well…its understandable if they castigate blindly. I mean how do you criticize a coach who hasn’t taken to the field yet?
This is just why we need an expatriate coach. This squad doesn’t make sense at all.
Billy mutale is back good move. The coach has shown great vision by including neglected under twenty players. Not all player should picked on merit. A certain quata should be reserved for developmental purposes. Therefore the inclusion of mangami banda,chris sakulanda, boston muchindu and shemmy should not be debated. Where patson is today its because of this quata system.
Zamfoot….why are you writing an article criticizing a coach who’s team haven’t even taken to the field yet?? You are already criticizing his call ups even before you see them kick the ball as a team. Thats been unfair. This article is so negative. Don’t forget that chambeshi’s junior team won some trophies and went to the world cup….such short sightedness ba zamfoot. Give the man a break and support him….
As a person who follows the Zambian Super league closely, this is a very young and adventurous team full of zambian skill and flair. All those without an idea will soon eat your words.This is the kind of local team i have been personally looking forward to seeing..
I totally agree with u!!
I wish Coach Beston and the rest of the team all the best!!!
Kabwe Warriors left fullback has the attributes required in that position for the national team…pure natural talent with good crosses. What’s his age Kabwe people?
If Beston has faith in his player boston muchindu
why dont he player him at the club? He wants to experiment
at the the national team…why why!
I doubt this teams ability to win even the Cosafa sheild….thats for you who said Beston was ready for chipolopolo to see