Choma’s Independence stadium in 2018 was a place of cheer and jubilation for the local fans. Zambia National Service sponsored side Green Eagles exceeded expectations by finishing in the top four for the first in the club’s history.
Green Eagles under the watchful and tactical eye of Aggrey Chiyangi came into the season at the backdrop of surviving relegation in the 2017 season.
When GREEN Eagles appointed Aggrey Chiyangi as head coach, he promised to improve the performance of the Choma-based side but no one could have predicted that they would finish in the top four.
The Zambia National Service- sponsored side also engaged former Power Dynamos midfielder Alex Namazaba as second assistant coach with George Chilufya remaining the assistant coach. On his appointment Chiyangi said this of the team: “I think it is a good appointment because, as coaches, we must continue working and I am looking forward to working in Choma. I will put in my effort to ensure the team does well.”
“Green Eagles is a team which is well-sponsored and, with effort from everyone, we will get the team to where it is supposed to be and fans should continue supporting the team,” Chiyangi said.
True to his statement, in 2018 he changed the fortunes at Independence stadium. Quick look at the 2017 Super League season, Eagles managed to win only 10 games in the 20 team league, recording 14 draws and 14 losses in the course of the season. Their scoring record was not impressive as well as the only found the back of the net 31 times while conceding 36 goals.
In 2018, the coach didn’t change a lot of personnel but did well to keep their most valuable player in Spencer Sautu who was pushing for a move away from the club as big spending teams came knocking.
With the likes of Caesar Hakaluba, Warren Kunda, fan’s favorite Matteo Ndashe, Tapson Kaseba, Spencer Sautu, Joseph Mwindilila Bornface Sunzu, Progress Kalenga and others, Choma residents witness a 2018 season that is by far the best since the club won promotion into the Super League.
“Tonka Kweende” as they are known by the faithful fans significantly show serious intent to play CAF Interclub football when they managed to win 20 games, drawing 11 and only lost 7 times the whole season, finishing the season with 71 points three short of third placed Green Buffaloes who had 74 points.
The team consequently qualified for its first ever CAF Confederation Cup participation. The Independence stadium in Choma as a result received a massive facelift as the sponsors embarked on improving the stadium’s status in a bid to play CAF games in Choma.
In a bid to compete favorably, Green Eagles signed six players on a permanent basis while one on a season long loan. The players are George Chaloba, Justin Munyikwa and Amit Shamende all from relegated National Assembly
others include Ray Mutale from New Monze Swallows,Michael Mwenya from Kitwe United and Mukabanga Susu Siambombe from Lusaka Dynamos. Edward Mwamba also joined the Aggrey Chiyangi tutored out-fit on a season long loan deal from high flying Nkwazi.
Their CAF Confederation Cup journey started in Choma against Young Buffaloes were the won 2-0 before winning 3-2 away in Eswatini to win 5-2 on aggregate.
Eagles then went on to face NA Hussein Dey who eliminated them 2-1 on aggregate after the two sides drew 0-0 in Lusaka.
Following their impressive run, it is expected that the team will push to replicate the same form since they managed to keep the core of the squad except the notable exit of their top scorer (18 goals) Tapson Kaseba who has since trekked to South Africa (ZamFoot crew sources are actually indicating that he might be returning home before the start of the season).
Green Eagles have done massively well and have assembled a good squad, in the goalkeeping department, Eagles will look to their Four goal minders in Sebastian Mwange, Robert Mwanza, Kenneth Mwaanga and Justin Nyikwa.
In defence, the squad will be rotating among the likes of Bornface Sunzu, Collins Mulenga, Samson Manyepa, Mateo Ndashe, Warren Kunda and Gift Wamundila. Others are Ray Mutale, Michael Mwenya and Kabamba Chilibwe
For creativity in midfield, inspiration will come from Kizito Cheelo, Jonathan Manongo, Spencer Sautu, Langson Mbewe and George Chaloba. Others that will have a say will be Mukabanga Siabombe, Amit Shamende, Christopher Chola, Samson Chilupe, Lazarous Phiri, Progress Kalenga and Joseph Mwindilila.
For the goals, Green Eagles will be hoping the sharpness of their strikers comes to the fore. The strikers are Anos Tembo, Shadreck Mulungwe, Isaac Simbuwa, and Edward Mwamba.
From the number of players in their 2019 squad, one would conclude that there is good depth for the team to bounce back into continental football and challenge for the title with the likes of Nkana, Power Dynamos, Buildcon and Forest Rangers in stream B of the 2019 Transitional Super League season that will kickoff on 27th December.
Green Eagles will kick off the season with a date against Forest Rangers away in Ndola before hosting Power Dynamos a week later.
