Newly appointed Chipolopolo assistant coach Wedson ‘Wada Wada’ Nyirenda who will lead the Zambia national team againsr Nigeria was unveiled to the media by FAZ Deputy General Secretary Lombe Mbalashi at a press briefing held at Football House on Tuesday.
The coach fondly called Wada Wada by his fans said he was aware of the expectations which came with being Chipolopolo head coach and hoped that his philosophy would help to restore Zambia’s glory after failing to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Setting out his philosophy Nyirenda said: “I took this job because I am one person who loves challenges. I did something when I was at Zesco United which is now a household name in Africa; I did the same when I was at Zanaco and at the club which I recently left in Mozambique. With good cooperation, good work culture and a good understanding between myself, the players and other stakeholders we are going to do a good job. We are looking like we are a weakened team but that’s why people are there. We need to change the players mentality and to change how things are done in the field.
“We must have a winning mentality. I think we are at the lowest level but we need to give our players the confidence that they can do it.
Wada explained that his immediate task was twofold.
“I am coming in to rebuild the team but we have to look at qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the same time.
We have to be bold enough to say the truth. We have not been doing very well in the recent past.
I think if we look back, our downward slide started immediately we won the Afcon.
We haven’t been the same since then. We have been going down in terms of performance . There are a lot of factors which we need to look at.
“My predecessors did their part but we need to do more. It is nobody’s fault that we are where we are today. It is football.”
Sharing his views on Zambia being considered the weakest team in Group B which contains Algeria, Cameroon and Nigeria Nyirenda said:” Every other team is the same it depends on how you apply yourself.
We were written off in 2012 but we emerged victorious. Look at Zesco United, Â no one expected them to come out of their group in the Caf Champions League but they have reached the semi-finals.
We are in the group of death but if we all work together we are going to pull a surprise.”
Fazfootball
let wait and see how you work
The biggest problem with our team in recent years has been our defenders and central midfield. We need a partner for Sunzu, Chama is too slow, chilufya come on. I would even prefer Munthali (I cant believe I am putting him forward as an option which indicates how bad our options are) or even Francis Kasonde, or maybe even one of the Charly Musonda sons (not charly) should be tried. Central midfield is another sore point. Get Isaac Chansa back in that team as well. Who will partner Sinkala – Chaila? Jack Chirwa? Lets be serious…
Sinkala need to be talked to the performance has extremely gone down.
1. Mweene
2. Silwimba
3. Fackson Kapumbu
4. Ziyo Tembo
5. Stopira
6. Jack Chirwa
7. Fwayo
8. Chisamba
9. Mbesuma
10. Kalengo
11. Kalaba
Nigerian coach Rohr is wary of Rainford Kalaba n Sunzu insisting that the two needs special attention .Source; Nigeria Vanguard.
Named sunzu as a striker. He doesn’t know him really.
Rodrick Kabwe has been in sensational form and needs to be considered by Wada. Otherwise am impressed he managed to talk to Fwayo Tembo and Chisamba Lungu. Thats the core of the Zambian game right there. COngrats coach, just put Ziyo Tembo to partner with Sunzu. You will be sorted.
Eh, how is Fwayo Tembo the core of the Zambian team? That player has not been in national colours in forerver. He can’t even keep a place at a club for more than 2 months. I also don’t see how a coach would play Fwayo, Chisamba Lungu, and Kalaba at the same time.
Rainford Kalaba is basically the only guaranteed bright spot on this team, which is why we are in trouble. This is no different than back in the Jan Brouwer days and Zambia was basically Gift Kampamba and 10 others. My only hope is that the new call ups workout.
Zambia is no where close to Nigeria whne it comes to football is a easy win for niaja