Absa Bank Zambia has injected K4 million in the Absa Cup, Zambia’s biggest inter-club cup competition.
The action which started in the quarter-finals has seen two teams left standing, namely Super League champions-elect Red Arrows, and promotion chasing First Division side, Napsa Stars.
The two sides will battle for the K650,000 winners prize on April 30.
Renowned Zambian football analyst, Musonda Ba Muzo Chibulu now picks 11 players that have impressed him so far.
- Rodwell Mukwanya (NAPSA STARS): Edges out Red Arrows’ Charles Kalumba on account of facing two penalties shoot-outs against two league giants Green Buffaoes and coming out unscathed.
He made a breathing-taking save from Diamond Chikwekwe in the first half of the semifinal at Woodlands Stadium which Napsa Stars won 4-2 against Nkana on penalties.
Brave and decisive Mukwanya could play a pivotal role in deciding the final.
- Shapy Chikondi Njobvu (Green Eagles)-He came into the Aggrey Chiyangi tutored side from nowhere benefitting from the absence of Warren Mills Kunda to partner Bony Sunzu. The ABSA Cup is about unearthing new talent. This lad is a revelation with very good height and reading of the game. Njobvu is the Chikondi (love) stories of football that we fancy reading over a long time. National team selectors must keep an eye on him.
- Gideon Sichone (GREEN BUFFALOES): Buffaloes were booted out of the Cup by Napsa Stars but Sichone was man-of-the match. Bundles of energy bombing forward and solid on the back foot, Sichone is modern and model wing back who started and meandered through the Stars to set up Martin Njobvu’s goal that was cancelled out by Simon Nkhata to take the matches to penalties.
Sichone tucked away his spot kick as the then Justin Chinama tutored side bowed out.
Tucked away in his account was K15, 000 in his account from ABSA. Not a small sweetener for the soldier after the army side’s bad lottery day at the office.
- Stephen Chulu (NKANA): The former KYSA holding midfielder turned center back was solid for Kalampa despite the 13-time league kings bowing out at the semi-final stage. At times, one feared for Chulu in one on one duels but he’s so smart as a reader of the game that he timed his tackles to perfection.
Chulu was strong in the air and was an outlet for attacks from the back with measured passes into midfield rather than just booting the ball, 12 o clock, aimlessly like some clumsy centre backs do.
Allan Kapila would have a legitimate claim here too.
- Treasor Tshibwabwa (RED ARROWS)-A clever centre back who is equally a threat in the opposition box.
The Congolese is a ball playing defender that has formed an impregnable tower de force pairing with Kapila. Wondering why Arrows are yet to concede a goal in this competition?
Look no further than Treasor complimented superbly by Kapila and the likes of club captain Benedict Chepeshi (man of the match in the 3-0 demolition of Nkwazi in the quarter-finals) and the ever smiling but marauding Prosper Chiluya.
- Sydney Kalume (NAPSA): Alan Hansen a former Liverpool player of the 1980s once told Sir Alex Ferguson, “You never win anything with kids,” when the legendary Manchester United boss introduced the likes of Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers: Phil and Gary. United went on to dominate the English game. Hansen was wrong. But in the case of Stars, Hansen can finally have his reprieve. It was an astute piece of management by Perry Mutapa to add the 34-year-old to the Pensioners package.
Nkana’s 2013 player of the year has run the Stars engine room like a teenager looking for his first taste of silverware.
Mind Kalume has won the ABSA Cup being with Lusaka Dynamos, the league title under Masauso Mwale and the COSAFA Senior Challenge with Herve Renard.
You don’t go far with kids in the Absa Cup unless with the experience of old staggers like Kalume.
- Susu Siambombe Mukabanga (GREEN EAGLES): To emerge star of the match as Eagles were brought down and dimmed 2-0 in an exciting semi-final by Arrows was stiff beyond dreams.
Susu groomed in the coal dust of Maamba, came to the fore when he was surprisingly named in Wedson Nyirenda’s Chipolopolo squad that was scheduled to play Zimbabwe in 2017. Although he never made the final cut Mukabanga was born as a big time player.
Initially, signed by Lusaka Dynamos, Susu made the Eagles 100% local players squad that eliminated star stuffed Orlando Pirates bossed by Micho from continental glory in 2019.
Described as an “Ozil-Carrick” blend Susu ran the Eagles show against Arrows.
He can operate in a number of positions including the number 10 role but was everywhere including snuffing out aerial danger in his own box shielding goalie Kelvin Mwaanga.
Sad that he lost his mom on April 12, and belated condolences 💐 are sent because the future of Susu is really bright but the matriarch will not be there to witness it.
- Allassane Diarra (RED ARROWS)- scored in both the quarterfinals and the semi-finals and is leading scorer for the league and Cup double seeking Arrows. The Malian is the leading scorer with 2 goals in the Cup. At 25, he is at the ripe age to start collecting silverware while his parent club Kafue Celtic-the exporters of Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu to the Premier League may be rubbing their hands with glee at another big prospect of huge financial benefit when sold.
He pulls strings Diarra and is now adding goals to his game.
- Enock Sakala junior (ZESCO United): could be challenged easily by Ricky Banda. But It is a rarity that a striker who has not scored in the competition can get in the top 11. Lineker Mwiikisa scored a wonder goal that I would like Banda to take a look at in his spare time.
Sakala is the son of the former ZESCO United and Zambia striker who is now a driver with the club.
This youngster has everything and showed with his well taken goal in the quarterfinals.
He was a constant threat in the opposition and an asset in aerial tussles for Mumamba Numba’s side in their own half.
Sakala will go places.
Patrick GONDWE (NKANA)-the 2019 COSAFA player of the tournament, 2019 Zambia Young Player of the Year and 2019 National Sports Council Young Sportsman of the year who had an unsuccessful trial at Spain 🇪🇸 second tier side Numancia was a joy to watch.
He played like the ball is glued to his boot. Tough to displace and a great mover of the ball, Gondwe makes up the lack of height with an intelligent football brain.
That earned him the ABSA K15,000.
- Joseph Chanda [ LUMWANA RADIANTS] : Scorer of Bilton Musonda’s returning to Super Divsion side’s goal against Nkana looks a very promising prospect upfront.
Chanda showed good movement and great technique as well as combination play.
He presses well too. Another one to keep an eye on.
Well, those are the 11 that have caught my eye.
Seen anybody better not included?
(By Musonda Ba Muzo Chibulu)
