Zambia suffered a defeat against Equatorial Guinea in a Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier, below the ZamFoot Crew’s Bernard Chama and Saasa takes a look at how each player fared.
1. Cyril Chibwe-5-Poor in the first half for the man nick named screen protector. At fault for the first goal when he failed to cleanly sweep to collect the ball from a cross that led to the host’s opener. His ball distribution was not at its best. Made good saves in the second half to keep the opposition at bay. Could do nothing about the second goal as he saved the initial attempt and only for the rebound bounce off him.
2. Benedict Chepeshi -5- Like Chiluya, he offered little going forward. Saw little of the ball with the hosts mostly attacking from the left side. Although the hosts broke from this side for the second goal, he is not entirely to blame as the entire defense switched off.
3. Prosper Chiluya -4- Below average performance. A lot of times caught out of position. Had to make last ditch tackles. Gave away the free kick that lead to the host’s goal opening goal. Didn’t offer much going forward. The opposition exploited his side.
4. Tandi Mwape-5- Was a jittery in the first half. Looked confident in possession as the game went on. Dealt well with the aerial balls. Always looking to pump the ball forward. Could have done better for the second goal conceded.
5. Dominic Chanda -5- Comfortable on the ball and at times had to drift to the left to assist Chiluya. Could have done better for the host’s opener when he was beaten to an aerial duel by the attacker.
6. Dickson Chapa -5- Following a slow start, he picked up the tempo as the Chipolopolo Boys tried to pin the Nzalang Nacional just before the red card incident. His general passing was a bit too predictable and he failed to track the runners or press as the hosts stretched the midfield.
7. Prince Mumba -3.5- Like majority of his teammates, had a slow start to the game as the Zambian team looked disjointed. Had little to show following an early sending off in the first half. Unlucky to receive marching orders for a challenge that looked like a 50/50 challenge. The red card incident changed the complexion of the match.
8. Lubambo Musonda -6.5- Great display from the captain of the side.Kept track of the opponents when he lost the ball and got himself in positions that looked like Zambia could make something out of.One would argue about his coming off which changed Zambias outlook but all in all a fair outting for Lubambo
9. Cletus Chota Chama -5- A not so impactful outing for Cletus.Had very little influence on the team and lacked the flair to inspire offensive attacks and wasn’t involved with in build up plays.
10. Fashion Sakala -6.5- A selfless outting for Fashion.Showed great maturity when he setup Patson Daka on more than two occasions.Not his very best but a fair display for the Rangers foward.
11. Patson Daka -5.5- Came close to scoring with clear cut chances in either halves.Showed individual brilliance when he took on defenders and was very unfortunate not to have scored.Oh yes he was robed off a clear foul right around the ark.
Substitutions.
Moses Phiri – Not rated.
Larry Bwalya -Not rated.
Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba -not rated.
Beston Chambeshi -4.5 – Today’s team looked more organized than when they last played.
The idea of Playing Cletous Chota Chama ,Prince Mumba and Dickson Chapa doesn’t seem to make sense especially that Prince Mumba dropped way too deep to help during build up.Our opponents played reactive by watching us attempt to dominate play which we badly did except try to score.
The homeside was a better side despite questionable calls by the ref Chipolopo needed to dominate play and cause their opponents to come out from packing the bus but the opposite happened.We run into their defensive blocks in numbers all to give away posesion easily.
Yes Zambia did not have a good show but as Africans and probably the world we must change the way we arrive at the result of a football encounter. In short the is a lot of robbery and charitable officiating. This habbit denies some countries to make progress in the game while it benefits others where they do not deserve. Football is a competitive sport where the two sides engaged in the tussle must outdo each other on the level platform provided by the referees. If these personal tilt the platform then there is no need to deem the game as a competitive sport.
My suggestion to improve the game is that FIFA must change the role of the fourth official. S/he must be empowered to atleast call off the game right at its venue without having to wait for an apppeal that is more worse handled by those who did not officially watch to monitor the development of a game.
This team was the strongest we have had in years with both Fashion and Patson playing together after a long while.
Can’t really blame anyone – red list problems,visa problems, coach changes meant no continuity.
Still the opportunities were there to bury the ball in the back of the net but we didn’t take them – don’t take them and you get punished.
End of story.
Still, sounds like ref robbed us.
Again.
I don’t know why the ref seemed so biased or intimidated or whatever. Seems like there were a lot of off – the – ball yellow card incidents.
If its the same ref in Lusaka ….then he should find his ???????
(…. not to be offensive but rhymes with spectacles ….)
and give the Eq Guinea boys a few red cards too!!!
I have just been watching the highlights of yesterday’s game. Looking at the way EQG scored their goals our goalkeeper and defense were at fault in both situations. Mweene could have saved those 2
I am not 100% sure that Mwenya Chibwe is the right person as first choice. He is good but not among the best of Zambia’s goalkeepers that we have had in the past, however I give him a benefit of doubt as we do not have a reliable defense as well which makes it difficult to pass a final verdict
MY QUESTION IS? DON’T WE HAVE OTHER DEFENDERS IN THE ZPL WHO ARE BETTER THAN SOME OF THESE GUYS WHO PLAYED YESTERDAY???? OR IS IT BECAUSE THE BEST DEFENDERS IN THE ZPL ARE ALL FOREIGNERS
There was a lot of poor marking
As for the red card that was in order as our player stumped on the EQG players foot. You don’t do that. Therefore that was a red card
As for the red card that was in order as our player stumped on the EQG players foot. You don’t do that. Therefore that was a red card that could end some other players career
2 goals scored and 5 in our net in 3 games speaks volumes