Zambia U23 national team head coach Beston Chambeshi says his technical bench picks players on merit.
The 2017 U20 AFCON winning coach said the technical bench always pick players who were going to perform and deliver on the pitch. There was a social media uproar after Kabwe Warriors left back Zachariah Chilongoshi was dropped despite being one of the best left-backs in the league.
” I think we always pick the team on merit. We always pick players who can go and perform. We are not looking at their faces but what they can do on the pitch. So far so good,” he said.
Chambeshi says he has been communicating with Russian based duo of Lameck Banda and Klings Kangwa who he believes are doing well. The duo is part of the foreign-based contingent of the Bola na Lesa Boys expected to join the team later on.
“We have been communicating with Lameck and Klings. They have told me that they playing and their team is the seventh position, It’s a tough league I hope the boys are doing fine there,” he said.
Chambeshi went on to reveal that the team was planning to play three friendly matches this week as they intensify preparations for the tournament.
“So far so good. The boys who went out have no injury concerns. It’s a big week we looking at having a friendly game this week, maybe against Kabwe Warriors. We working on the tactical part. I am happy we did not concede when played small teams last week, ” he said.
“The tournament is near the corner that’s why we arranging friendly games so that we see where we need to improve. We want to play at least three friendly games.”
Zambia who are in Group B alongside Nigeria, South Africa, and Ivory Coast are expected to have an international camp before heading to Egypt for the November 8-22 AFCON.
The top three teams at the eight-member tournament will qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Mangani Banda (Zanaco), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors), Patrick Chooma (KYSA)
(DEFENDERS)
Shemmy Mayembe, Solomon Sakala (both Zesco United), Paul Banda (Buildcon), Kebson Kamanga (Zanaco), Prosper Chiluya, Field Kandela (both Kabwe Warriors), Moses Nyondo (Nkana), Benson Chali (Forest Rangers)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Linos Makwaza (Power Dynamos), Clinton Lubula (Kansanshi Dynamos), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Harrison Chisala, Oliver Lumbiya (both Nkana), Musonda Siame (Lumwana Radiants), Ngosa Sunzu (Buildcon)
(STRIKERS)
Twiza Chaibela (Kabwe Warriors), Biston Banda (Buildcon)
The technical bench is not doing a good job as regards the backline. We are not solid defensively and most of the defenders selected are not starters for their clubs and others just warm the bench. Players need games to get match fit and be on form. A player’s level drops when they are not getting game time. The technical bench should have really looked at under 23 defenders who are regulars and on form at their clubs. I don’t believe you can say you pick players on merit when they don’t play regularly.
isn’t there a crucial Algeria match on nov 11??
On this one Coach Chambeshi I will not agree as you have stuck with 90% of the team that went to U20 world cup and you have closed doors to all upcoming players in the same age range. In as much as this will be seen as positive by some pundits I feel the move is detrimental to the development of the senior team. I copied the comment of one contributor on “Talk Football” please see bellow:
Lubuto Kubengeshima: Maybin Kalengo and Emmanuel Chabula who are 20 and 21 years respectively both qualify for the under 23. I know for sure these are quality players with experience playing at a higher level why have they been ignored for assessment? Please Ba technical team round up all experienced eligible players to fill in the gaps, this is not the time to be proud!
Indeed I agree with the contributor why should the technical bench give a blind eye to players like the ones above, why shouldn’t they be given a chance? We are not going to Egypt to participate our aim should be to win period. Please Coach Chambeshi be flexible and listen to the outcry of soccer fans we still have time don’t be stubborn!
Your defence is porous