The draw meant Zambia has only collected a paltry 2 points out of a possible 9 points.
Zambianfootball.co.zm takes a look at how the players performed.
Kennedy Mweene 7/10 – He was hardly troubled but came to the fore when called on. He went down brilliantly to save a short from within the area after the defence was beaten. He got an undeserved yellow card when he showed skill to go down sliding and chest the ball away as a sweeper. The veteran keeper was brilliant with his punches when he came to aid the defence on crosses as he punched them with distance.
Kabaso Chongo 5/10 – An average performance from the TP Mazembe full back. He pushed up quite well but his recovery remains questionable. He conceded an unnecessary free kick on the edge in the dying minutes which almost cost Zambia a point when he could have held his nerve. He was beaten clean by Amado Muntari in the 73rd minute for what turned out to be Niger’s best shot on target which was well saved by Mweene.
Emmanuel Mbola 7/10 – He stuck to his task very well and let very little off on his side. He helped whipped a brilliant cross which found the head of Charles Zulu and should have gone in for a goal if the contact was right. One of his best performances in recent times.
Christopher Munthali 5/10 – Shaky at times but built some good chemistry with Nyambe Mulenga. He nearly cost Zambia a goal with some half-hearted clearance when the Niger team was blazing in attack. He ran to cover for Mbola in the first half but was left to the cleaners by Musa who cut in and Zambia only survived because of the poor finishing by the West Africans. He almost buckled under pressure when he gave an unorthodox back-pass to Mweene which almost rolled in onto the net but was cleared off the line.
Nyambe Mulenga 9/10 – What a display by the 2012 Afcon gold medalist, he fought hard for the team and covered well for his full backs when they were caught out of position. He made to brilliant tackles to break down what could have been disastrous counter attacks by Niger. He has matured and did not concede unnecessary fouls.
Nathan Sinkala 6/10 – Not the best gave for the Grasshopper midfielder and captain on the day. He played his defensive role very well and the back four played with some assurance as he hovered just above the back four. He covered his defensive lines very well but was easily disposed in some dangerous areas and lacked the incisive diagonal pass that has become his trade mark. He captained the team until Katongo was introduced.
Charles Zulu 7/10 – A satisfactory debut for the U20 sensation which will shoot his confidence over the roof when he plays at the CAF Junior championship. He saw a lot of the ball in the first half and tried to vary his approach between his trade mark runs and short passing. He lacked the final ball but gave the Niger team something extra to think about with his ambitious runs. His tactic still needs polishing.
Chisamba Lungu 5/10 – A subdued performance by one of the teams brilliant talents. He was tasked to play in the middle of the pack but failed to open up the Niger team. He major contribution was a perfect pin-point cross which found the head of Chamanga in the first half.
James Chamanga 4/10 – He had a torrid time isolated upfront for long periods but even when he was joined by Singuluma, he failed to link up well with his fellow striker. He lost the ball easily and did not bring the others into play. Even when he was pushed wide after the introduction of Mayuka, he failed to tick on the flank. He did not have a shot on target for the 81 minutes he was on the pitch and fluffed his lines when the chances were presented to him.
Given Singuluma 8/10 – He worked his socks off and had tough role to play dropping into midfield and popping up on different fronts in attack. He late run into the box was well spotted by Kalaba but was unfortunate to be denied by the woodwork. He was unfairly denied a penalty in the 77th minute when he was bundled down in the box after he outpaced his marker to get in the box where he was pushed to the floor.
Rainford Kalaba 7/10 – His talent shone again and he was Zambia’s best outlet on the flanks. He created chances for his team mates but left his shooting boots in the dressing room as he had not even a short on goal. He cost Zambia in what would have been significant attacks as he was often caught offside when it seemed easier for him to remain on-side with his line of sight across the the Niger defence line.
Emmanuel Mayuka 4/10 – Came in for Charles Zulu. Very little to show in the 20 minutes he was on the pitch.
Christopher Katongo – Came in for Chisamba Lungu. He saw a lot of the ball for the time he was on the pitch but nothing much to influence the game
Jacob Mulenga – Came in for James Chamanga. Not rated
Honour Janza 6/10 – He has shown that he is brave enough to do away with the old legs has dropped players not having game time at their clubs but may just be lacking the plot. He brought in young Charles Zulu who has been in excellent form for the U20 national team. This showed that he is no respecter of names. With only one goal in three games, it showed in this game that he has not found the best players to score goals for him. Even England based Mayuka who was brought in with 20 minute had very little impact. The buck stops more on his selection of players and his failure to find a formula to open up teams.
Ratings of Kabaso and Mbola should interchange. I thought Chisamba put in a lot of workmand deserves a better rate of 7. I was also impressed with Nyambe Mulunga. It will be a water tight defence with Sunzu. Sinkala’s performance has considerably gone down. Chamanga should not be in the team, better the heavier Mbesums, or Bornwell. I think the coach needs a new attacking pair of say Evans, Jackson Mwanza, Kampamba who have speedand flair unlike theclueless Chamanga.
Did not watch the game. Can’t say much on player performance. The Coach should left Jacob Mulenga play longer in this or game started with him. I honestly feel Alex Ngonga can do a better job upfront. Look at S.A Coach Mashaba he is players that are unknown and they are doing the job for him. Though i’m happy Charles Zulu from the U20’S was given an opportunity to play. These are kind of players who have something to prove. Not a 35 year old Chamanga. We keep going backwards when we have boys like A.Ngonga who is hungry for success and has a lot of energy.
James chamanga is a pathetic striker how on earth did our coach let him play? Mayuka sate sate and evans kangwa must be allowed to take over. Start Mayuka and sate sate against Niger. The old legs of mulenga, chamanga etc have failed to score goals.
James Chamaga stays on the feild when Emmanuel Mayuka comes on, James Chamanga is then pushed wide, Jacob Mulenga then comes on. That is a catalogue of errors. What a misuse of players and waste of substitutes. That reveals desperation and no real stratergy from the coach.
He must be clear and decisive.
The late mr U car and mr chola chose players on form and not names and past good deeds that’s how come they were successful on there short stint with the nation team may their souls rest in peace
I am in total agreement with the ratings. For me I really expected more from Chisamba it was lik ed he was playing subdued. He needs to release the brakes and start expressing himself more. Singuluma was also nowhere to be found until he made that one run into the box. Chama nga does not have the capacity to play as a lone striker. He would have been better with someone beside him instead of behind him like Singuluma played. Also, we spent too long on the ball, there are too many fast players upfront like Kalaba, Zulu, and Chisamba, not forgetting overlapping Mbola and Chongo. We need to work on crosses and exploit the wings at Levy.
dear bloggers help me understanding why Janza is still calling M bola and Kabaso to the starting line up useless defenders if only Niger had better wingers we would have lost by a big margin. Nyambe has been the best in the 3 games.