South African-based versatile full back-cum-midfielder expressed his delight on been recalled to the ‘Chipolopolo’ squad preparing for the two crucial Africa cup of nation qualifiers against neighbors Zimbabwe; and against the much-fancied and current champions the “Desert Foxes” of Algeria.
Speaking on his return to the Zambia national team after three years, Kabwe had this to say, “After three years it’s been long. It’s a privilege, it’s an honor as well to represent my country.”
He added, “It’s something that I have been working on and am just happy that it’s paying off.”
Kabwe also went on to thank the head coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojević and the rest of the coaching staff for considering him after his good inputs for Black Leopards of the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) to help the team fight for a place in Cameroon next year.
“Thanks goes to the coaches for considering me and giving me the call-up,” he said.
Asked on how he thinks Zambia should approach these two vital matches, Kabwe stated, “I think we don’t need anything less than getting a victory especially against Algeria at home.”
He stressed the importance of making use of home advantage, “Since we are playing at home we have got all the chance and opportunities to win at home so all I think we need to do is just go out there and play our game.”
He added, “You know we’ve beaten Algeria here before in Lusaka so what can stop us to do the same thing again?”
Indeed, Algerians no strangers to testing losses to Zambia. On their last visit in September 2017 during a World Cup Qualifier at the National Heroes Stadium, a brace by Brian Mwila and a late goal by Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Enock ‘Computer’ Mwepu helped defeat the Algerians 3-1.
He added that Zambia needs to focus first on the Algerians before thinking of the final qualifier dubbed “the battle of Zambezi” with neighbors Zimbabwe.
Asked about the value he can add to the team, Kabwe humbly stated, “Being part of the team is no fairy tale. All I can do is just do the best I can to help the team.”
He encouraged the fans to support the team despite the new normal of not having the fans physically present as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“To the fans, I just ask them to support us as they always have,” Kabwe said. “Football without fans is difficult but what can we do.” he added in line with the restrictions.
Kabwe recently scored an important late goal against PSL giants and leaders Sundowns to earn his team a 1-1 draw in a top versus bottom match and would certainly like to do the same in coincidentally similar scenario as Black Leopards like Zambia are also bottom of their respective standings.
Asked if the goal came as a coincidence ahead of his call up Kabwe quashed it down to his effort on the training pitch.
“No, I’ve been doing it in training, it’s down to hard work and when the chance came, I made good use of it.”
The other Group H match will be between our neighbors Botswana and Zimbabwe. The match to be hosted by the ‘Zebras’ will kick-off at 18:00 Zambian time on the same day ( Thursday 25th March) as Chipolopolo’s encounter with Algeria.
As for the standings, Algeria top the group unbeaten with 10 points and are all but guaranteed place in next year’s edition of AFCON in Cameroon. Zimbabwe sit in second place with 5 points one ahead of their opponents on Botswana. Zambia rounds off the group bottom on 3 points.
Zambia squad
Goalkeepers
Allan Chibwe (Green Eagles), Cyril Chibwe (Polokwane City), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors)
Defenders
Kabaso Chongo, Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe- DRC), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Adrian Chama, Clement Mulashi (both Zesco United), Golden Mafwenta (Buildcon), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Zachariah Chilongoshi (Power Dynamos)
Midfielders
Enock Mwepu (Red Bull Salzburg-Austria), Nathan Sinkala (Stellenbosch-RSA), Salulani Phiri (Polokwane City-RSA), Kings Kangwa (Arsenal Tula-Russia), Clatous Chama, Rally Bwalya (Simba SC-Tanzania), Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Benson Sakala, Spencer Sautu (both Power Dynamos)
Strikers
Patson Daka (Redbull Salzburg-Austria), Gamphani Lungu (SuperSport United-RSA), Lubambo Musonda (Slask Wroclaw-Poland), Roderick Kabwe (Black Leopards-RSA), Augustine Mulenga (Amazulu-RSA), Moses Phiri (Zanaco), Collins Sikombe (Lusaka Dynamos), Amity Shamende (Green Eagles)
Injured: Fashion Sakala (Ostende-Belgium, Justin Shonga (Cape town City-RSA), Brian Mwila (Buildcon)
Make sure you die a little for your please R. K
Make sure you die a little for mother zambia
you mast be serious when you’re in a pitch
The team is not all that strong and still wondering how is he going to play with one striker. Where is mwape musonda and edward tiger chilufya.
Something unwell with the zambian technical team. How can put a player on standby and the issue of evans kangwa and kingsley is not clear. Another source is saying the two were released. And this arogant insist that they were not released. Come thursday night draw or lose he should just resign. To me the coach is confused .