Interim Chipolopolo Boys coach George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina is set to name unchanged side for tonight’s friendly match against Gabon at Heroes Stadium.
The only change the gaffer might make is that at left back were Kabwe Warriors’ right footed Solomon Sakala could come in for Boyd M’kandawire while Armenian based winger Lubambo Musonda might also get the nod to start ahead of Chisamba Lungu of Russian side Ural.
“He wants to go with the same starting line up normally because you don’t change a winning side,” an insider told the ZamFoot Crew on Tuesday morning.
“Ideally the coach wants to see the team without Kalaba but he won’t go for that. So Chisamba might be rested and Lubambo could start.
Though Kalaba remains Zambia’s key player Lwandamina is aware that the ‘Master’ hasn’t been at his best and he wants to have a plan B with Lubambo being the new attacking outlet while Chisamba will continue in his role of being the ‘extra body’ in midfield as well attack.
“Tactically Chisamba usually drifts inside to help out in central midfield and this makes Kalaba enjoy that free role [Zambia’s attacking threat] and in terms of the balance of the team. Now with Kalaba aging, there’s a general consensus that he has to be phased out gradually and Lubambo has to be groomed for that role.
In midfield, Green Buffaloes’ Jack Chirwa will continue and it now seems Zambia has Isaac Chansa’s replacement.
“Chirwa complements Nathan Sinkala. The boy has the energy and Nathan thrives on that sort of partner. With Kondwani and Nathan its like having to similar players like Micheal Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteger.
“Nathan is the deep lying midfielder while Jack is the new workaholic midfielder doing the donkey work for the team.
While most pundits and fans didn’t appreciate Chirwa’s role in Nairobi, the boy from Arakan Barracks gave Zambia the balance especially in the first half. His box to box runs helped Zambia maintain the shape for Zambia.
In defence, Lwandamina wants to stick with the partnership of Aaron Katebe and Stopilla Sunzu.
A ZamFoot Crew research has reviewed that Zambia and Gabon have met six times with Zambia winning 4 times while Gabon have been victorious 2 times;
- Zambia 3 – 0 Gabon (16 July 1989 – Afcon)
- Gabon 2 – 1 Zambia (30 July 1989 – Afcon)
- Gabon 2 – 0 Zambia (20 Nov 1994 – Afcon)
- Zambia 1 – 0 Gabon (8 April 1995 – Afcon)
- Zambia 1 – 0 Gabon (1 June 2005 – Friendly)
- Zambia 2 – 1 Gabon (21 Jan 2010 – Afcon Finals)
Predict Zambia’s starting XI against Gabon? Have Your Say
I feel the central defence should partner sunzu and Munthali,then katebe move to right back(drop chepeshi) and Lubambo should replace Chirwa………Good luck chipolopolo#HeroesStadiumTonight
Yes Sunzu – Munthali is best partnership.
The 3 boys need be used as substitutes.
– So Konwani in for Chirwa
– Buchidza for Chepeshi
– Katebe move left (Left back is a problem, that is why Mkandawire should continue)
I agree with the writer i think Chilwa can be groomed into the new Isaac Chansa i saw a few signs in chilwa during sundays game and think he can make a good partner to sinkala. He is a natural number 8, a box to box midfielder as compered to Sinkala and kondwani who are both holding midfielders (6). U can only use both kondwani and sinkala in a game u want to defend a lot or sit back and break on counter attacks.
And on Sunzu and Katebe i think this will be the best partnership in years to come, katebe is a very good center back he just needs time to jeel with Sunzu. Kondwani can be another helper if needed between the two
Mbesuma and Kalengo partnership is so deadly lets keep it and sharpen it even more maybe we look for someone who can be helping these guys let say Mayuka if he returns good form.
In the front wings we are very ok with Kalaba and Chisamba on either sides lubambo is another contender even fwayo can add value.
My only worry is on the back wings were we seem not to find other replecements to Joseph Musonda and Davis Nkausu. Lets see if we can find the two prayers as soon as posible i thought we found in Kabaso Chongo and Emmanuel Mbola but i have been very dissapointed in both on them so lets use these friendlies to find departments which we are lacking lets try these two boys Mkhandawile and Nchepeshi.
Good analysis!!!
Will the game be televised on znbc?
Just go to the stadium. Even if its televised you will not have power. So ka K30 should do the job.
Point of correction ba zamfoot. It was Gabon 2 Zambia 1 (Nov 20 1994). Wedson Nyirenda scored the consolation in the dying minutes of the match.
I don’t agree that Kalaba is aging just because he was not on song for the game against Kenya. You need that kind of player and also being the team Captain. A half Kalaba is much better than a full Lubambo because of experience and the ability to change the game anytime.
Kalaba, Sunzu, Mweene, Sinkala, Chisamba, and Mbesuma are players who should be shown enough respect on the way you deal with them on the field of play because of their pedigree and influence on the young players. Player management is crucial to successful a good team spirit and that reflects into the results.
Kalaba is best, he is not just sparkling because of armband on him. Anyone appointed as leader will slow down, it is natural.
Correction November 1994,it was GABON 2-1 I believe it was Wedson Nyirenda who scored for Zambia.
Excellent article by the administrators. it’s been a while since i saw an article of real depth and this was one. Well done! On the Zambian team i think we are now showing sings of having a first eleven. The guys involved on Sunday looked good when they wanted to play. Zambia is not a team that defends therefore we looked uncomfortable when asked to defend which is expected. The boys on the flanks are still learning so i personally will not criticize them too much. They will get better with more games. My only real concern was Chisamba Lungu. He was mediocre on Sunday which for a player of his experience is unforgivable.