Zambia national football team coach George Lwandamina has selected his 23-man squad for the back to back Group E qualification matches of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for 23rd and 27th March in Ndola and Brazzaville respectively.
Lwandamina has listed ten foreign-based players including Davies Nkausu who returns to the squad since June 2015.
Christopher Katongo and Isaac Chansa who both returned to the fold with the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) squad have been named in the squad which is captained by Rainford Kalaba.
Buchizya Mfune, Stephen Kabamba, Adrian Chama, Jackson Chirwa, Benson Sakala, Spencer Sautu, Christopher Katongo and Conlyde Luchanga are already in camp in Ndola. The rest of the players will join camp starting on Sunday.
The players dropped include Donashano Malama, George Chilufya, Solomon Sakala, Mwelwa Mwape, Mwila Phiri, Charles Zulu and injured Chisamba Lungu.
Adamson Mulawo and Patson Daka are the two strikers who have been dropped.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Mamelodi Sundowns/RSA), Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Racha Kola (Zanaco);
Defenders: Buchizya Mfune (Green Buffaloes), Stephen Kabamba (Green Buffaloes), Adrian Chama (Green Buffaloes), Davies Nkausu (Free State Stars/RSA), Stoppila Sunzu (Lille/FRANCE), Chongo Kabaso (TP Mazembe/DRC);
Midfielders: Jackson Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Benson Sakala (Power Dynamos), Spencer Sautu (Green Eagles), Salulani Phiri (Zanaco), Nathan Sinkala (TP Mazembe/DRC), Lubambo Musonda (Gandzasar Kapan/ARMENIA), Isaac Chansa (Zanaco), Christopher Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazmbe/DRC), Clatous Chota Chama (Zesco United);
Strikers: Collins Mbesuma (Mpumalanga Black Aces/RSA), Evans Kangwa (Hapoel Ra’anana/ISRAEL), Conlyde Luchanga (Lusaka Dynamos), Winston Kalengo (AC Leopards/Congo)
I feel so sorry for Patson Daka, why are they rushing him like this. This is wrong and it is clearly affecting his carreer. The same fans that were chanting his name just a year agoare the same fans that are now against his inclusion in the senior team, but you can’t blame them they have every right to do so. His goal rate is very poor for a striker. He hardly scores for his club.
They should allow the lad to compete with the U20 team. The U20 is where he is needed now not the senior team. Zambia will host the next Caf U20 march/april 2017. Arrange friendlies for the U20 team, camp them, develop them, motivate them for the tournament and let them realise the importance of going to the U20 world cup. A good number of the malian players that participated in the last U20 world cup are getting good contract 4rm European teams. Nigeria won the 2015 U17 world cup, the tournament record goalscorer Osimhen is now with wolfsburg in Germany and another 2 are with Arsenal, arsenal paid £2million pounds for 17 year old Kelechi Nwakali.
The next U20 world cup will be the perfect place to market Patson daka and his colleagues not the senior team.
Happy new year Badosqi
Happy new year to you too Zambian B.
WAT ABOUT FELIX KATONGO
STOP DREAMING! What about Felix Katongo? When did u last see him play?
Am happy for luchanga! the boy is good and clever.Ba coach next time give chance to mbola and singuluma as for mayuka we all know he has a place in the team already .I wish chisamba a quick recovery .
Watch that Benson Sakala, umwaiche wa bola, should be pa Asernal. Partner him na Kalaba mu midfield. Drop Sinkala until Zambia leads 2-0, then let him hold the game.
Good selection by the coach now it is up to the individual to work hard.
Good selection by the coach now it is up to the individual to work hard. Don’t let CK to dictate or influence players. Go Zambia Goooaaal! Twalileka kulusa talala wemwena.
Those of you with the privilege of watching the ZPL, which of these defenders will be best to partner Sunzu in central defence?
@Big Steve, excellent question. I would have thought Munthali when I watched CHAN, but I would also like to know who the knowledgeable people i.e. those that watch ZPL have in mind.
Munthali has also not been playing at the club after receiving a ban for his illegal move to Nkana. Adrian Chama who was one of the standout players in defence in Rwanda has carried his CHAN form straight back to his club and has been in action for GBFC both in the Charity Shield and the league game where he has partnered well with Buchizya Mfune.
Remember that Chicken’s preferred central defensive pairing at CHAN was Buchi and Chama until Munthali seized his opportunity and performed above board when Buchi fell ill… so he has basically stuck with the two with the inclusion of Sunzu in that position.
At the moment we don’t have a good partner for Sunzu apart from Munthali.but he was not picked,I would go for Adrian Chama to partner Sunzu.
Sunzu doesn’t play at his club, so why is he a favourite to partner adrian chama ?
SUNZU BEEN SELECTED RFFERING TO HIS EXPERIENCE , NOT MORE THAN THAT. BUT IS VERY SLOW ON THE BALL , I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE CONGOLESE STIKE FORCE OF Thievy BIFOUMA ( REIMS , FRANCE ) , fabrice ONDAMA ( WIDAD OF CASABLANCA ) AND Delvin NDINGA ( OLYMPIACOS, GREECE)…LUCKILY Fode DORE ( ANGERS , FRANCE ) AND THEIR ALL TIME OUTSTANDING CAPTAIN Prince ONIANGUE ( REIMS , FRANCE ) ARE INJURED.
Adrian Chama is the man,he is not only the most suitable to partner sunzu he is peharps the best defender since Sunza exploits,he is the most intelligent zambian defender we have had in a while.technically superior to his peers he is aswell
i would prefer Nkausu to partner Sunzu,
@Katete when did you see Felix playiya competitive match? If he couldn’t plat at CHAN how can he meet the grade at senior level?
Thanks for the feedback gents, it looks like Adrian is the best option.
My worry is that 2 of our key players have not seen game time at their clubs and these are Mweene and Sunzu. It is one thing to train and another thing to play. In short we do not know their form. Maybe the 2 could have sought permission from their respective clubs to travel early and feature in one friendly vs a local side. Arriving on Sunday does not give the coach enough time to assess them. I think the rest of the team looks okay to me
That’s my concern too. Sunzu and Mweene are experienced heads but haven’t seen enough game time. Having said that, it looks like they have no serious competition when it comes to Chipolopolo duties. Overall the squad looks really good.
So goalie = Kennedy
Left and right back = Nkausu and Kabaso
Central defence = Sunzu and Adrian
Defensive Midfield = Nathan Sinkala
left and right midfield = Kalaba and Lubambo
No. ten just behind strikers = Mbesuma
Top strikers = Kalengo and Evans
Jacob Banda did not allow a goal at CHAN. I dont see how Mweene should still be favoured???Banda was stable and showed confidence when put on the spot. Its time Mweene started on the bench here too!!!!Not that he is useless, but truth be told, he has done his part. He is a great player, but probably past his best!!!!
Steve, I agree with your squad.
So wht do we hav here?….our central defence pairing will b a jigsaw puzzle as non of the defenders thr r reliable, the midfield looks a bit solid defensive wise goin forward its orite and the front is 100% with gud options. To sum it all our defence will b our weakest point, we r big at the top but small at the back. (Roger Rumjet kind of appearance). #jst gonna leave it rite here
We need our fullbacks to be attack minded like we used to see in Kapambwe Mulenga and Laban Chishala. A convincing win over Congo will be a big statement of intent. Let’s fly the flag higher.
No Sundowns bench warmer pliz until match fixing is sorted out. Ask the coaches at freestate and Sundownd
luchanga to play and mayuka and singuluma they not even considered for team selection. joke of the yr.this my own analysis.zambia needs to negotiate to pass thru congo. the opponents are very fast as compared to zambia.chipolopolo laked pace in all departments. at the back the flat four naturally they have no pace.one of the central defender is too old and sunzu doesnot like to run. in midfield except lubambo.the trio of kalaba ,nathan and chansa they like to pass the ball they have no pace.the strike force is weakest link. kalengo and mbesuma they are very slow and old ask those who watch the egpty match they were badly exposed he destroyed congo ten years ago and that marooned coach is still banking on that.those are box strikers especially mbesuma.the cerrent formation which is being used doesnot suit the quality of players we have.that formation needs players who are all round and you should score with midfielders.
Mayuka is the best striker in zambia. You never leave him out.
It’s Mayuka we’re talking about not Messi! Get real my friend.
My thoughts as well. Mayuka is good but to elevate him to status of being the best in Zambia is a bit far fetched.
Why wouldn’t you include mayuka. Zambia needs all its energy up front because you lack goals and unfortunately when it comes to soccer you need to score to win so without a strik force up front forget afcon because congo are no push overs watch this space
Good team selection. A mixture of experienced and upcoming lads. I’m curious about who will make the starting 11.
@ Quicksilver yes good selection except for Mweene!!! that cow has been frozen out on purpose!! It is either his form, but i doubt! Word is out he threw some games……..a bad seed indeed. A match fixer is no good to anybody……maybe in a corrupt toxic environment such as FAZ
Don’t lower yourself to a level of calling people cows. Keep your head above such nonsensical talk. Like it or not we don’t have a goalie at the level of Mweene even if he is a bench warmer.
@slim,you have gone too far,its simple his a bench warmer but better than the goalies we currently have@that level you also require experience/know how to oganizing your defFence is ONE BIG contribution experience brings in,@slim you should be regarding Mweene your hero,surely if mweene is a COW then who are you to the public?????talk soccer,don’t call pipo names..
HAVE A LOVELY WEEKEND GUYS….
well said
wen it comes to soccer we can compare it to a game of hide and seek, we get down and we get up and learn from our mistakes that we have done, let us not criticise, but help to build not to destroy but play a role in building not destroying plz, one Zambia one nation
Even at CHAN people called the Chipolopolo s being slow. I wonder why we still call our team slow. I thought the tactic is to control the tempo of the game to your liking?. At No 3 I thought Stephen Kabamba played a good game at CHAN, though I was disappointed to see him red carded in the Charity Shield final. Since Kanbaso Chongo is a regular at TP, I am just worried about Nsunzu and Kennedy’s lack of game time. it could have a telling effect.
Mweene refused to extend his contract and that could be the reason why he is relegated to No 3 at his club, other stories we can’t take. Keep them to yourself if you can’t connect his bench warming at Club level to his refusal to extend his contract.
Ba Kasama, our game is indeed slow – remember what those Spanish experts told us when they came on some programme to develop coaches and players through some clinics, I think it is a FIFA programme. They were spot on – our game is slow, but unfortunately, we don’t seem to be taking such expert advice and adjusting accordingly. One other thing is that our set pieces are not up to the standard. We need to take advantage of corners, free kicks and counter attacks. I cant understand why we cant concentrate on these areas of clear weakness on the training pitch ?
So is Rogers Kola completely out of the picture ? even for assessment purposes ? I think umwaice balimufyenga. Even when he is doing well, he is never considered, that’s why people say there is a hidden hand that banned him from playing no matter how well he performed. If there is one thing that our current FAZ hasn’t impressed with, its being selfless and having the spirit to develop players, irrespective of the state of their personal relationships. That’s the difference between chifita no musungu !
Good team selection coach chicken. We have a balanced team right there. Whatever you do coach don’t leave out one CK11 from the starting line up. We need his energy in the middle of the pack. That energy supplemented by the skill of ba Mumpa and others, you have a good game on your hands. I can only wish the team the best of luck back to back against Congo Brazaville.
Sorry guys for calling him a cow! but am so upset for Mweene sinking that low. Stooping down to a level of benchwarmer/game fixer! Let him come back to ZPL, as far as the PSL is concerned no one wants to get near him!
Following rationality as would be applied by those epl and uefa coaches, Jacob Banda should start with Mweene being benched. Unfortunately, we do not have the guts pa zed to see such a decision through pa zed.
KELVIN MUBANGA of Power Dynamos is one exciting midfielder that can add depth to the squad. His runs on and off the ball are just a marvel to watch. He has upped his game and now knocking very loudly on the national team door. His defence splitting runs and crosses in the final third are what the likes of Kalengo and Mbesuma would exploit eaisly for Zambia. He is a GEM of a player for any team. In the next round of games, I would suggest Chicken George to consider this lad for a call up to the squad.
on MAYUKA,i personaly think the couch has done him a favour to leave him out coz he has to settle at his new club and continue his good form.
who is SINGULUMA going to replace?currently for me I think he has no place in the team coz NTOFONTOFO AND KALENGOAL are on good form currently..as for MWEENE and SUNZU,the two are our best dispite their game time at club level..GO CHIPOLOPOLO GO!!!
summing up the comments from this blog,it seem the mood here have taken the game lightly. I was trying to sum the feeling of how a North African or West African opponent would look like; shivers would have been written all over with critics at a maximum best. But because this is not even DRC, things are cool. Well I would always avoid this team on any day. Nobody has even talked about Bifouma and how he can be a thorn in the Zambian arse. This game is difficult than u think
I wish to difer on Mweene. He has been our best keeper since he took over from Kakonje, but truth be told, it wont always be like that. Lets give chance to Jacob Banda, he showed his nerves at CHAN and all he needs is exposure. Banda’s confidence is currently high, and I m not sure I would say the same with Mweene due to his lack of game-time. I would therefore prefer Banda ahead of Mweene, not to say that Mweene is bad, but chances are that he is low on confidence due to too much bench!!!
Yes,Jacob didn’t concede but he’s a suspect.Mweene in goal coz of experience.
Mweene and Banda may not be at the same level, but they are effeminately on different trajectories. Banda is taking-off, while Mweene is going down. Mweene has actually caused us problems though pipo dont seem to notice. eg, that bashing we go in Sudan, Mweene was fully responsible.
I thank the coach for the lin up its well arranged its even giving me a strong hope of wining this match eventhough some of the best players are mising but these on the ground wil caryout their duties acoding.go Zambia go and win the game goodlucky 2 u……….
I thank the coach for the lin up its well arranged its even giving me a strong hope of wining this match eventhough some of the best players are mising but these on the ground wil caryout their duties acoding.go Zambia go and win the game goodlucky 2 u……….
1 kendy mwene rit nd left kabaso nd gb playr 4,5 suzu nd gb playr centr nathan,kalaba katongo frant mbesuma, kalenga lubambo
Zambians Need To Put More Efforts In Sports
Good selection for real, wishing the boys a fantastic performance. Now is the game on ZNBC
I Wish The Chips Guys All The Best.