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Lwandamina turns to Mbesuma and Jacob

Zamfoot
By Zamfoot
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Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina has recalled veteran strikers Collins Mbesuma and Jacob Mulenga to the national team that will face Kenya in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.

Zambian Football KICKOFF can exclusively reveal that Mulenga, who has been in top form for his Chinese side and Mbesuma of Mpumalanga Black Aces will be among a strong contingent of foreign based stars for the qualifier match in Nairobi and the international FIFA friendly match against Gabon.

Rainford Kalaba, Stoppilla Sunzu, Nathan Sinkala, Chisamba Lungu, Kennedy Mweene, Ronald Kampamba and Davies Nkausu are the other foreign based players named but there is no room for 2012 AFCON golden boot winner Emmanuel Mayuka of Southampton, Greece based Rogers Kola and Lubambo Musonda of Armenia.

With 158 votes cast on the ZamFoot poll, Jacob Mulenga is currently leading the poll (52%) as the fan’s favorite to lead the Zambia attack against Kenya.

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109 Comments

  2. No no no no, the coach should think about it again, we still need these players, mayuka emmanuel,Rodger kola and Lubambo musonda, why leaving them? This is the crucial match, its good he has called mbesuma and Jacob mulenga but I think we still need mayuka,rodger kola and lubambo musonda. Pliz let me see the news tomorrow that you have called them, these are players we depend on to score

    • Why are you calling sate sate in place of rodger kola, didn’t you see how poorly he perfomed against ivory u23, why do you hate so much rodger kola, if you don’t hate him, why not giving him chance during these preparations? This is a christian nation, one zambia one nation. Pliz try him, what wrong has he done to you lwandamina and kalu that you have failed to forgive him. Love your friend as you love yourselves

  3. Unless there is a problem with his availability,lubambo musonda should have been called. He realy attracts more than one defender. Singuluma should have been in the team too instead of the young talents.for me they are for the fulture

  4. But why leave out Lubambo Musonda? But Lwandamina nao takwata amano yabola mudala uyu. What kind of people are really at the helm of Zambian football? Awee naleka mwee. Kuti naponta.

  6. We want Lubambo Musonda also. Otherwise, good job coach so far. Call up Lubambo to do the fine runs on the wings to add a dimension of efficient wing play.

  9. lubambo just moved to the new club so maybe has been given chance to establish himself n get a permanent position. for Mayuka its important to call so that his moral is boosted.

  11. Thanks lwandamina for listening frm us.I kn its difficult to feature all players we are crying for…….how I wish some pipo insulting were the couch,n receiving what they forward here…..

  14. FAZ are now panicking no foreign coach so ni reverting to Jacob and Mbesuma

    Mind you Kenya are no longer pushovers. Awe mwandini bwafya sana

  15. Its a good call up, those of u who are against Sate Sate in the team please spare the boy and let him bring glory to mother Zambia. If Mbesuma en Jacob fails to score he is perfect option in my opinion.

    • I can agree with Lubambo and Kabaso Chongo that Mbola make a lot of mistakes Kenya’s front line is so sharp so we need a solid and an alert defence. Let us be honest currently, even if He is not at his top form, there is not striker who can match the sharpness and skills of Mbesuma. Mbesuma is the only player probably in the whole southern African region who can be compared to Rooney’s playing style and you can use him lethally in the 18 area without putting him as a top-man. I like Jacob Mulenga and would prefer Him over Mayuka and Roger Kola simply because He can score and has power as a striker (not easy to be out done by a defender).

  19. It’s good to see that Mbesuma and Jacob have been called up and its long overdue because these two guys have been playing good football at their clubs and scoring goals.

    My only problem with Lwandamina is that he is now running the National Team like a Spaza. Guys like 30 30, Nkausu and the like have not been that impressive at their clubs. Why is Lwandamina leaving out the likes of Rodgers Kola, Evans Kangwa, Lubambo Musonda, Noah Chivuta, Lineker Mwiikisa and Emmanuel Mbola.

    This match is going to be very tough and if this is the manner we tend on approaching it then we might as well just give Kenya the 3 points in advance

  20. Good call on Jacob. Those questioning Mayuka’s omission need to know that with about ten days before the transfer window closes its best to leave him out so he can continue club searching. At this moment he wouldn’t be in the right frame of mind and he also hasn’t seen any game time for some time now. On Mbesuma those that watch the PSL can help us on his recent form. My biggest surprise though is Kola’s omission. If we still doubt his ability why not call him and feature him at least in the Gabon friendly? I really feel we are mishandling and frustrating a player who can help solve our current lack of potency in front of goal. It’s one thing to fail to engage a seasoned coach but failing to pick players on merit is disgraceful.

  21. Lwandamina is a pathetic coach thats why he cant win the game in nairobi, faz we are tired of disapointment if we loose in kenya we wil be out, how do u select the team? are u sure u can leave players like lubambo musonda and mbola in yo squad?

  22. Maybe let’s wait for the actual and final list from Chicken, and then we will see who is in and who is not. What Zamfoot gave us was not the complete list, but a snapshot of the squad.

  23. Fair point by Paddy on Mayukas omission. But the idea of including Mbesuma scares me, anyway its only a call to camp but if it used will show coach wants to bulldoze and that indicates a lack of strategy. Plus if Mbesuma plays ad even Jacob we maybe short defensively, so we need to watch out there.

  26. Yes where is Evans Kangwa, Sate Sate and even Festus. These are the players we must rely on when we dont know much Jacob can contribute and all others are not playing!

  27. Nkausu hasn’t kicked a ball in a long time. We need Fwayo and Lubambo in the team not clowns like Jackson Mwanza and his friend Kalengo..

  32. I can agree with Lubambo and Kabaso Chongo that Mbola make a lot of mistakes Kenya’s front line is so sharp so we need a solid and an alert defence. Let us be honest currently, even if He is not at his top form, there is not striker who can match the sharpness and skills of Mbesuma. Mbesuma is the only player probably in the whole southern African region who can be compared to Rooney’s playing style and you can use him lethally in the 18 area without putting him as a top-man. I like Jacob Mulenga and would prefer Him over Mayuka and Roger Kola simply because He can score and has power as a striker (not easy to be out done by a defender).We must be wise and criticise logically.

  34. It may sound like a good development when you are told that The coach has called Jacob and Mbesuma back into the main chipolopolo. Yes they may bring the but it buffles me to learn that this is what Zambian football has become.I mean having to rely on votes to select players to the national team.I guess I am not dreaming, but I am sure I am not because I am fully awake. Neither am I under the influence of any drugs.I am surprised.Anyway if you can’t beat them it is better to join them, so my favourite coach please call R. Kola at least for ‘ trials’with the Chipolopolo.

  36. But on a stronger side let us stop insulting the Coach, it is important at this time to realise our confidence and positivity behind our team-Chipolopolo, the Coach and the technical team including the rest of the Team.

    • We did the same thing last time for only to draw at home in group stage that requires points to qualify. We lost 2 points in Lusaka and I can tell you if we can win in Kenya that will be the biggest surprise to me. At the moment I have no hope and the reason is simple. The selection of some of the players blindly, and some of these players are foolish too, cause if a coach selects you and you know very well you have not played any games at club, why not pick the phone and make a call to FAZ or the coach and inform them that you are not in form as you have not played any games at club level

      Nangu kutemwa bu international player title yena iyi yakosa mwe

      • Its true Mwebantu! these people(the romans) are only interested in money Katwishi efyo twingacita apart from(my own observation) being positive maybe it can help ala niba nkosa mitwe stubborn and well groomed in lying and corruption. I well do agree with almost all of you guys as We as Zambians, none of us has never played soccer so when we talk….. We corporately know what we are talking about. Ni Kolwe pita ne Mbwa!!! (if a monkey tries to play around or sleep whilst the friends are running it will fall in the trail of dogs and end up being meat for dogs)

  37. That ka mbola boy that some pipo are crying for always misses the ball at least once in every game..watch him and you will prove me right.

    • Its true and that is a sensitive defensive position its better to use old Muzo even though now He will be slow.

  38. The selection of the team is biased torwards players in Central and Southern Africa for logistical and reasons.FAZ is broke! They carry too much unnecesary baggage ie KALU and his Italian Suzie have to be kept in luxury! And secondly, to try and give Daka and Kayawe enough caps to increase their marketability! Whether the two boys score or concede is a small matter can glossed over.To be honest most deserving players outside Africa have conveniently been ignored for financial reasons.Uppermost in their minds is to flog the boys but at what cost? At the cost of Chipos failure to qualify! Never mind, that is secondary to KALU and friends.
    They must sell to keep the good times rolling. To a reasonable and objective ble FAZ the fact Kalu has refused to reside in Zambia wud b enough reason to BOOT him out! Thirdly the foreign players wud not b paid cos FAZ has a most onerous task to fulfill, keep the King happy flying to and fro while our soccer bleeds.

  39. some pepo r calling for mayuka & mbola. the latter has failed to live Upto his expectation except for that game against Nigeria during afcon 2010. the former has had no game time. y shod he then find himself in the team

  40. Am so disappointed wt u bloggers,u. Were th same guys calling for Jacob to called now u r crying for Rogers kola wen did he last score n how many player wl he call? Its really disappointing I wonder if u r fans or supporters?

  42. My worry for Zambia:

    Our current squad has an incomplete spine. (A spine referring to a reliable goalkeeper, central defender, a commanding midfielder and a goal poacher). Mweene, and Sunzu form part of the spine but after that its trial and error. (Worth noting that Kalaba is by far our best player).

    In years gone by we used to have dead ball specialists such as Late Melu, Kalu… We haven’t had a dead ball specialist for many years now.

    We used to have goal scoring midfielders (Makinka, Mwitwa, Jonstone Bwalya, etc who chipped in with vital goals to supplement our strike force. Our current crop of midfielders only seem to bring pace, tricks and passes to the table but their goal ratio has to rank amongst the worst we’ve had in many years.

    Zambia used to have a consistent defensive unit unlike today where the back four is anybody’s guess.

    My point really is that we don’t have a team that we can point to as being our first eleven good enough for the nation to believe in. As a result playing teams like Kenya suddenly feels like we’re playing Egypt or Ghana. Bp going up against Kenya? Tafyaliko ifi

  43. We won the Afcon in 2012 ofcourse because God’s favour was on us but also we had our first 11 known and established. Long before the game started we knew for certainty who wud be in the starting line up. That is not the case now. We had about 6 players playing competitive football @ TP Mazembe which helped with the gelling. Almost all our starting 11 were in fine form at their repective clubs.

    Let me at this time point out the major areas I feel should be worked on for us to win another Afcon trophy. 1. Attacking Midfield role. Isaac Chansa hasn’t had a replacement yet. He is a box to box midfielder that combined well with Sinkala and supplied balls to the strikers. Chisamba Lungu does better in that role but may be we try to use Kalaba in that role and then use Chisamba and Lubambo in the wings. 2. With Mayuka and Katongo out of form who formed the backbone of our strike force, we need to find a good combination upfron that will yeild results for us . Here are strikers I believe are in top form now in descending order. 1.Jacob Mulenga 2. Roger Kola .3.Lineker Mwikisa .4. Alex Ng’onga .5.Walter Bwalya.
    6.Evans Kangwa.7.Collins Mbesuma .8.Sate Sate.
    The other area(s) that may need work are the wing backs. Kabaso Chongo and Nkausu are currently the best we have not Donashano. Left back:Mbola is good in attack but not as gud in defence. If Boyd can mature, he wud be the best to fit in that position coz he is good in both attack and defence. We can also try out Power’s Lawrence Chungu,I feel he can also be an addition besides Kapumbu. Central Defence is not bad with Sunzu, Katebe, Munthali, Bronson and versatile K .Mtonga.

    Other players which need assesment are Clatous Chota Chama, I think he has upped his game. Julius Situmbeko , Brian Lubaba and Mulao needed an assesment.Lets Just work on attacking midfield and striking force, and we will be home and dry.

  44. It seems Chicken has began 2 show signs of LISTENIN i hop FAZ can do the same as well. If only they cud LISTEN nga fyonse mukaka wekaweka.

  45. If Chicken wants da winning formula then the Zamfoot family is the answer. If Kalu wants re-election then likewise ifintu ni Zamfoot.

  46. its good to see jacob and mbesuma back but with the unavailability of young players in the name of kola,mayuka,kangwa,mbola,katebe,lubambo this is disaster to the nation.this idiot did the same thing against gueine bissau and after people have complained he recalled the players. do these coaches go for hiv test before they are being given jobs.the way how zambian football is being runned its more than joke of the year..that useless coach will soon turn chipolopolo into old people’s home.

  47. kalusha what crime did kola commit which annoyed you to an extend of not calling him for national duty.there is no heroism in stupidity.

    • Oh plizzzzzz…Rodger Kola is so wasteful!!! Terible finsher!!! He is in the same category with Festus Mbewe! Have watched him a couple of times. The problem with us is that we forget so easily. Pliz let the sleeping boy lie.

  50. Let us have lubambo and mbola that so ad Kenya will fall. I know Kenya will play fast football one two, one two so let the coach prepare our team because it won’t be easy but we will win. I have trust I kalaba, Jacob, Mbesuma, lubambo,chisamba, and sinkala.

    • Kenyans are very slow my man. They have tall and slow players. The only way we can “kill” then is pace and fast running football. I can guarantee if we play with pace, we will win in Kenya. Thats why we need Lubambo and Kalaba doing the damage on the wings, with Jacob and Mbesuma in the middle of the striking force. Goals will flow.

  52. What is so special about kola.jacob deserve a place in the national team coz of certain qualities than kola.George Lwandamina Thanks For Listenin To Our Cry.Please Dont Call Players Who Only Scores During Practice Matches.Go Zambia Go.

  53. Reason Why Coach Has Called Jacob And Mbesuma Is For Strength And Height.Kenyan Defenders Are Tall And Yield Hence The Two Call Up Match.Remember What Festus Did To Namibia Coz Of Height Advantage.Therefore The Callin Of Jacob And Mbesuma Is Highly Tactical.If U Watched The Game Between Congo And Kenya.The Central Defence For Kenya Failed To Win Most Of The Ariel Crosses.The Defence Was Shakin.

  55. With a good strategy, we can win in Kenya. Kenyans are very slow. They have tall and slow players. The only way we can “kill” them is pace and fast running football. I can guarantee if we play with pace, we will win in Kenya. Thats why we need Lubambo and Kalaba doing the damage on the wings, with Jacob and Mbesuma in the middle of the striking force. Goals will rain with this kind of strategy. Remember how we dismantled Senegal in 2012 AFCON opener.

  58. Good to see that the technical bench have recalled Jacob. With Jacob leading the frontline and Chisamba and Kalaba on the wings to provide supply we have a very good chance of goals. Just not sure who the coach will favour to play in the hole and again we don’t have any box to box central midfield player in the form of Isaac Chansa anymore. Nathan’s match fitness is also questionable.

    Mbesuma had a massive amount of game time at Aces last season but his return of only six goals raises a massive question mark on his goal scoring instinct.

    The dropping of Mayuka is justified.

    We can only hope the coach doesn’t pull the stunt he pulled in the GB game of benching players like Chisamba. It might be well and good he has called these players but if puts them on the bench again then it becomes all pointless.

    • goal scoring depends also on chances created. first count the chances created by the team then count Mbesuma’s goals. I believe the return, matches the chances. Let judging a striker be,
      1. Number of games played => match fitness
      2. Goal scoring ratio => scoring returns per chance created
      3. Attempts on target compared to the total number of attempts => accuracy
      4. headers => aerial prowess
      5. ratio of goals scored outside the box => hunger and daringness
      6. ratio of goals scored from the left, right and centre => versatility i front of goal
      7. ratio of goals scored in 6 yard box => poachers instinct

  59. @Germiston South please with all due respect Rodgers Kola does not qualify to play in the CHAN competitions due to the fact that he plays his football in a foreign Nation and secondly Lubambo Musonda is not injured. It’s very worrying if as you are saying that this info was given to you by someone on the technical bench. This just goes to show that our technical bench have not done their homework and we shall surely pay the price for leaving out the likes of Mbola, Chivuta, Kangwa, Mwiikisa and the like.

  61. With Or Without Kola Zambia Is Winning.If Kola Is Really Good,am Sure Coaches Are Not So Devish Not To Recall Kola.Better To Call Mayuka For Assessment.Ba Coach All The Best.Go Zambia Go,one Zambia One Nation.

    • Coaches can make a personal decision to never call up a player. It has happened multiple times, they are also human and sometimes let emotion take over their better judgement. With Kola though I think the problem is at FA level and not coach level.

  63. Hey Zamfoot! What’s the source of this information? There is nothing on FAZ website nor facebook page. Supesport has reported that Jacob and Mbesuma set to be called. It appears to me that Lwandamina has just hinted on who he has in his plans but hasn’t completed his list yet, just my thots according to my findings.

  64. Mbola seems to be the weakest link in our defence. If you can recall well from past games in which he featured, he tends to make some mistakes on which our opponents normally capitalise. Let’s look for a natural left footed player to seal that gap. The now tired legs of Musonda used to handle that position very well. Mbola seems to hold on to the ball more than necessary resulting in him committing those silly mistakes.

    • Fwayo Tembo has not played for his Club yet, this season nor been on the bench. In the first round Europe League win vs West Ham and the second round first leg win yesterday when his team Astra Giurgiu beat AZ Alkmaar of Holland 3 – 2, therefore he cannot and should not be considered until he starts having game time at his Club. I do not know whether he is injuired or not

  67. Those calling for Mayuka please recognise this guy has not been playing competitive games so he is not as sharp. Leave him out for now until he is playing again.

  68. It is very important to note that Zambia has a problem in the following areas;

    1.Centre Forward
    2. Number 10(player who can play in the hole)-I have not seen a player who has done extremely well in the number 10 role in a long time.
    3. Box to box midfield, from the time chansa left the team we have failed to replace him.
    4. right and left back- We have failed to replace Nkausu and Joseph Musonda

    We don’t have a great passer of the ball/ box to box midfielder in the team and as such we will struggle for creativity. Zambia should capitalize on pace on the wings especially that Kenya will employ a physical game. playing Kondwani and Sinkala has failed. Its time they played Chisamba as a number 8(box to box) and employ Lubambo or Justin Zulu on the right.

    • I don’t understand how the whole Zambia Premier league can fail to produce a deadly goal poacher. We have 16 clubs in the ZPL and all these have failed to produce even single reliable goal scorer. It is for this reason that some of us will always to the past 70 & 80’s cause during that period all positions in the national had 2 players at the same level

      For example when Zambia were in camp for 1978 AFCON finals, they had the 22 players out of about 30 in camp who formed the Zambia A and B squad. I watched one of the preparatory games played at Gabbitas Studium, in Chingola and it was amazing to see 22 players battling like it was a real game

      Another example is when Zambia sent a B side to the East and Central Senior Challenge cup. twice the Zambia B National team managed to reach the semi-finals

      I know we did not win something at that time, but I am proud to say it was amazing to see how players stood in the queue awaiting for a chance to be called to the B or A team. It was the Zambia B team that beat Cuba 2-0, at the Independence Stadium while the Senior National Team was away in Algeria

      There is something very wrong with some of the club administrators and some of the coaches, I just wonder whether the players at club level are chosen on merit or maybe the coaches demand to be paid something. I say this cause I have information of a Zambian local coach who used to demand money from players, in order to play for the KK11. This coach is now late (MHSRIP). @Zamfoot Andrew Tembo can confirm this

      I know of situations where club officials have imposed officials have imposed players on the coach and instructed him to feature the players, as these were relatives of the officials or of the officials friends

      I have also heard that some parents have been paying certain officials money in order for there children to be included Junior teams as well as some soccer Academies that have invited to Europe year in and year out

      Zambian soccer needs a complete overhaul, if this will not be done, then we as fans should not expect anything better than we are seeing today

      I rest my case

  70. I would rather wait for final official list. But thanks pals most of you have uptodate data on players. Biggest problem is right and left back with central midfield. I think Lubambo is out coz of Chisamba. Kenya’s biggest weakness at the back is central defense so I think the coach is looking at players who can force Wanyama to backpedal TO help in defense.

    In that he won’t fond much time going upfront where he’s dangerous.

    But let us wait for final list before we finish our insults!

  72. its gud that every fan is able to list his first eleven before the coach.but lets support our coach at all cost.but I would prefer to bring janza back to assist lwandamina and I feel janza + mr chicken equals to (expatriate).

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