Having dominated the head to head statistics between the two sides, Zambia was expected to beat the Harambee Stars of Kenya in their own backward by a lot of bookmakers.
As expected, the Chipolopolo boys fielded a much stronger side compared to the one that beat Malawi on Wednesday most notably was skipper of the side Kabaso Chongo, Belgium based Fashion Sakala, Russian based Kings Kangwa and Evans Kangwa, Poland based Lubambo Musonda, and Edward Chilufya who is plying his trade in the Swedish league.
Zambia lined up in what looked like a 4-5-1 formation with twin holding midfielders in Kelvin Kapumbu and Benson Sakala, Tp Mazembe top defenders Tandi Mwape and Kabaso Chongo was again paired at the heart of the defense.
Lubambo Musonda started on the right side of the backline as he has done for his Polish club on several occasions, new power Dynamos signing Zacharia Chilongoshi was again preferred on the left-back.
Fashion Sakala, Kings Kangwa, and Edward Chilufya were entrusted in the midfield to win every challenge and create scoring opportunities for themselves and for Evans Kangwa who played as a lone striker.
WHERE WE LOST IT?
1. CENTRAL DEFENDERS
Just like in Zambia Vs Zimbabwe game, the pairing of Tandi Mwape and Kabaso Chongo does not look to work out at the national team, Mwape looked uncomfortable on several occasions and ended up gifting Kenya with an own goal which he could have easily put out.
2. WING BACKS
After struggling to find long-term wing backs, Zacharia Chilongoshi and Lubambo Musonda look to like they will be Zambia’s solution’s in those departments.
Both Musonda and Chilongoshi love overlapping and it would be important for them to keep proper communication so as one overlaps the other one remains to keep cover.
Kenya scored their second goal from a counter-attack when both of our wing-backs had overlapped.
3. DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
The question is why using two holding midfielders?
Modern football requires a team to field two holding midfielders especially when they have wing-backs who love overlapping, in the event one wing back overlaps one of the defensive midfielders will be required to take cover in the event of a counter-attack.
The Kenya goal which was scored by Nyakeya could have been avoided if the holding midfielders took cover.
4. ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS AND STRIKERS
Zambia dominated the game from the onset but could not coordinate their passes neither could they take their chances when they were presented with scoring opportunities.
Fashion Sakala made some decent runs but his first touch in the box always failed him, he could have had scored a goal or two.
Edward Chilufya still looks like he is on the learning curve and it would be ideal if we allowed him to learn while coming from the substitute bench unlike throwing him into the fire from the first whistle.
Kings Kangwa is one for the future and the young man could have done so much better in that game but unfortunately, he was dropping too deep creating a lot of spaces for the Kenyans.
Evans Kangwa had an average game, made good runs, and found himself in good spaces, he should up his game in the upcoming fixture against South Africa.
