Nkana forward Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba came off the bench to score a brace to remind Chipolopolo Boys coach Wedson Nyirenda about his strength – scoring goals!
There’s an aura surrounding the Chipolopolo camp and it is such kind of positive vibe which play a significant role in team bonding and subsequently to a good tournament.
On Thursday afternoon, Nyirenda went for a full pitch 11v11 at Heroes Stadium.
Coach Beston Chambeshi, skipper Ziyo Tembo and Donashamo Malama were back from attending Changwe Kalale’s funeral in Chambishi while left back Fackson Kapumbu was back in action after a stomach bug.
It was an almost full house save for Augustine Mulenga who joined his Zanaco teammates at Levy Mwanawasa hospital who were doing their medicals.
The trio Lubinda Mundia, Toaster Nsabata and Isaac Shamujompa were still out.
But still, Nyirenda had 27 players at his disposal and after naming his ‘Team A’ and B it was interesting to note that the boy from Kitwe’s Wusakile township was on the bench alongside Jimmy Nakena, Martin Phiri and Nchanga Rangers’ diminutive midfielder Kasonde Bwalya.
In what looked like his probable XI, Nkana’s John Mwangeni was the new inclusion in the 2017 backline while the recalled Jack Chirwa was paired with Kondwani Mtonga.
Though not an out and out winger Godfrey Ngwenya came in for Mulenga.
Upfront, Nyirenda went for the pairing of Lazarous Kambole and Lumwana Radiants’ Mushili Chanda.
On the other side, Alex ‘Bazo’ Ng’onga was partnered with Friday Samu with Lameck Banda and Mike Katiba down the flanks.
Larry Bwalya had Vincent Chirwa behind him.
Adrian Chama and Solomon Sakala in central defence with Lawrence Chungu and the versatile Donashamo Malama as full backs.
With 9 league goals, Mushili smashed from close range after combining well with Kambole to give his side the lead.
Then there was a sublime finish from Chirwa which made Wada Wada go into his traditional celebration.
And before the coach could even finish his dance, Zesco duo Simon Silwimba and Kapumbu were on his case urging him to end the first half and he obliged.
“5 minutes break” Wada Wada ordered.
Assistant coach Aggrey Chiyangi signalled for the withdraw of Zanaco duo Ernest Mbewe and Ziyo Tembo to join their colleagues at Levy Mwanawasa hospital and came in Nakena on the B side.
Buffaloes’ Chama was promoted and partnered Mwangeni while Martin Phiri came in for Mbewe.
Kasonde came in for the other Bwalya, Larry.
Lameck Banda picked up a knock and Kalampa #1 entered the fray finally. Bazo went wide and it was now a double S strike force of Samu and Sate Sate.
And Guess what happened?
Straight from scoring 12 goals for Buffaloes, Samu pulled one back to make it 2-1 and then their was a quick double from the landlord.
Bazo joined Sate Sate to do the Chimwemwe dance in El Kopala style.
Larry Bwalya, Allan Chibwe and Lameck Banda couldn’t resist and became cheer leaders on the touch line as they sensed victory.
But hang on!
While he might lack pacy and was struggling to win aerial duels, Mushili together with Kambole could be revelations in North Africa the same way Given Singuluma and Ignitius Lwipa stormed Ivory Coast 8 years ago.
Whenever he lost his footing, Wada Wada urged Mushili to stay on his on feet.
Is he sensing a good prospect here? Time will tell.
Goal of the day
Mushili exploited the channel and was released by Mwangeni and spotted the surging Silwimba’s run with an inquisitive pass that was applauded by members of the technical bench.
Silwimba, on the half turn pulled it back for Kambole and the Zesco United striker calmly slotted it home.
If it was a competitive match, this goal could have featured on goal of the week. Good build up and combination play.
And if one thought training was done, then they were wrong!
FAZ Technical Director Moses Sichone, who had his copa mundial on approached Nyirenda as the Serbian physical trainer was about to do finish training with usual warm down.
While it was exciting to see the goals fly in, there was one man who wasn’t too impressed and it was ‘Big Mo’
From keeping the likes of Masautso Tembo and Ronald Mbambara quiet at Gabittas Stadium in Chingola during training to Liverpool’s Micheal Owen in Europa league and a host of Bundesliga strikers during his time at Koln, Sichone asked for four defenders and attackers.
And he took them into a defensive drill to the appreciation of everyone.
He even name checked Kapumbu and reminded him of his mistake!
Wow very exciting analysis thought was watching live. Ba Coach mistake number one for 2018 is to leave out Sate Sate for Chan. Otherwise admin thumbs up for the update and could have loved more if you gave team A list and team B list. Which team lost and also the best combination and worst combination in all departments.
Who wrote this?? Exciting indeed, players should read this.
This is how soccer show come.