Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Shonga strikes against Gabon to hand Vandebroeck first win

The Zambia national team on Tuesday evening picked their first win under coach Sven Vandenbroeck when they beat Gabon 1 – 0 in Libreville, thanks to a Justin Shonga goal.

The Chipolopolo on Saturday rescued a point with an added time equaliser from substitute Shonga and the Orlando Pirates striker made it two goals in two games when he scored the lone goal in the 16th minute.

Vandebroeck made nine changes to the team that started against Namibia with only Lawrence Chungu and Salulani Phiri retained in the starting XI. Despite the changes, Zambia looked well coordinated and dominated the game in all departments.

Enock Mwepu was carrying the ball well from midfield into attack supported by Clatous Chama. But its Shonga who could have had a hat-trick in the first half. He first missed a point blank chance after receiving a low cross from Bruce Musakanya which he shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat before he managed to convert only to be ruled offside.

Click here to watch Justin Shonga’s superb strike against Gabon

After the break, Gabon looked to attack Zambia and they could have scored in the 63rd minute only for Lawrence Mulenga to make a superb save from close range when he had only been on the pitch for less than a minute.

As the game wore on into the final quarter, Vandebroeck made further changes and Zambia dominated playing some good passing football though they threatened less.

The 38 year old Belgian made full use of his substitutes making all six possible substitutes.

Zambia XI

Toaster Nsabata (Lawrence Mulenga 63’), Gideon Sichone, Lawrence Chungu (Solomon Sakala), Luka Banda, Isaac Shamujopa, Salulani Phiri, Lubambo Musonda (Spencer Sautu), Enock mwepu (Jack Chirwa 46’),Bruce Musakanya (Ghampani Lungu 66’), Justin Shonga (Lazarous Kambole 66’), Clatous Chama

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22 Comments

      • So the rest of the assets who played longer minutes are less assets? Is there no fear of them getting injured or is it only Mwepu that can get injured?

  1. Well done to the lads and I hope the coach has seen through Solomon Sakala. The boy is not yet ready for the national team….maybe it was just nerves in the Namibia game but he was by far our worst performer. It got so obvious that when the teams came back from half time all the attacks were down the same wing until they scored from the same side. The Namibia coach picked up who was the weakest link. This friendly helps with confidence and also helps the coach with better identification of first team players. Kamanga and crew have been a major let down of late but I can give them credit for this friendly…well done.

      • My brother its nothing personal, he just was the weakest link in the game. Maybe he had an off day I don’t know but on the game day he was out of sorts. He has plenty of time to redeem himself.

  2. The coach has so much faith in solomon sakala and he is a national team material. The coach should call up donnashona malama , brian mwila, evans, kangwa, saith sakala, prosper chiluya and kenneth kalunga.. He should give chance to all players.

    • The coach will decide who he calls and can as well see games on video involving these guys. Those that will be called up in future is players that can deliver

      Maybe you can tell us how well donnashona malama , brian mwila, evans kangwa, saith sakala, prosper chiluya and kenneth kalunga are doing at their respective clubs. I am 100% sure for you to recommend them you must be having some data that the coach and FAZ do not have; i.e. in regard to the performances of the players you have mentioned at their respective clubs

      Please include others so that the coach and FAZ can have a look at them

  3. I watched the game via you tube. Mwepu was terrific as box to box: i think this boy will reach different heights if he works had and stays focused. Triple c always classy and intelligent on the ball. Lubambo lively on the wing, musakanya slippery… Luka banda and sichone were solid too. Shamjompa was a bit shaky and chungu was beaten a few times on his wing so was replaced by s.sakala with a 10 minutes to go. I think we are playing some terrific football. Even the guys who came on as subs were excellent. Gampy, sautu, lazi…. It reminds me of the football we played at afcon 96. No chipante pante, quick exchanges and one twos. Most of the players in the team today are good dribblers so it was just exciting to watch. The coach needed this game earlier. This coach has got good football. The football i saw today is some of the finest i have seen our team play in years. Forget about the namibia game. We are going to afcon 2019. I think cloutus chama should be given more time on the pitch. His link up play sometimes is second to none.

  4. and after todays game, i dont think sven will ever leave out mwepu…..lol. He will also have a hard time leaving out chota chama.

  5. What a great pass by Mwepu, kwena umwaiche mukali. So accurate kwati bena Maradona sure. We have a boy who is gonna go places. Stay focused mwaiche

    I look forward to watching the 2 boys Patson and Mwepu in the Europa League
    Where there are in the same group as , Celtic (Skotlanda), RB Leipzig (Germany)and Rosenborg (Norway)

    Red Bull will play their first match (Vs RB Leipzig from the Germany Bundesliga)on 20/09 at 21:00 hours, before hosting Celtic on 4/10, kickoff 18:55

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