Zambia Under-23 wrap-up their Group B Olympic Games qualifiers with an easy 4-1 win over visiting Mali this afternoon at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka.
The win was a good build-up in this mare formality match ahead of Sundays Africa Nations Championship preliminary round first leg tie away to Swaziland after Peter Kaumba’s team drew 1-1 on Monday against Zanaco in a training game at Sunset stadium.
Kaumba’s team strolled to victory without Zesco United midfielder Rainford Kalaba who has been ruled out due to a long-term nagging ankle injury.
However, they didn’t miss Kalaba after an impressive authoritative display from Lusaka Dynamos playmaker William Njobvu during the opening 61 minutes he was on the
Field before being replaced by Green Buffaloes’ Sebastian Mwansa.
Njobvu was at the centre of Zambia’s opening goal scored by striker Emmanuel Mayuka in the 4th minute.
The Dynamos player chipped the ball down from midfield to Mayuka lurking on the left flank before the deregistered Kabwe Warriors player raced passed Mali defender Mamdou Niang to shoot from a tight angle beating goalkeeper Monkoro Bonebacar.
The goal was Mayuka’s first at Under-23 in four games since making his debut against the same team last August in a 2-1 away win in Bamako.
Mayuka turned provider 24 minutes later for Green Buffaloes striker Reuben Tembo who finished off with a simple tap-in.
Three minutes after the half hour-mark, Under-23 Power Dynamos winger Kennedy Mudenda scored on his debut after finishing off a Tembo rebound after Bonekacar parried the Buffaloes strikers earlier effort.
Zambia wrapped up the win on 74 minutes with Mwansa guiding the ball across the line after Young Arrows Timothy Mbewe’s high long shot caught Bonekacar off his line.
Mali’s consolation came three minutes later through Abubakar Fawbaolou who beat Zanaco defender Charles Siyingwa and goalkeeper Dan Munyao to slot in the ball after a powerful run inside the box.
Zambia now depart for Swaziland tomorrow, Thursday via Johannesburg ahead of Sundays opening first leg encounter to be played at Simhlolo National Stadium in Manzini
The team does not include any of the Zesco United Under-23 call-ups players who arrived in two groups over the last 24 hour from their Caf Africa Champions League match against Al Hilal of Sudan on Sunday.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Kelvin Musonda (Zanaco), Dan Munyau (Red Arrows) and Mike Poto (Green Buffaloes)
Defenders: Clive Sichondwe, Bronson Chama (Both Kabwe Warriors), Hichani Himoonde (Lusaka Dynamos), Charles Siyingwa (Zanaco) Joseph Zimba (Red Arrows)
Midfielders: Francis Kasonde, Kennedy Mudenda, Simon Bwalya (Both Power), Sebastian Mwansa (Green Buffaloes), Timothy Mbewe (Young Arrows), William Njovu (Lusaka Dynamos).
Strikers Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors), Simon Lupiya (Young Arrows), Reuben Tembo, Christopher Musonda (Forest Rangers).
Dropped: (Zanaco) Nyambe Mulenga (Zesco), George Chilufya (Nchanga Rangers), Maybin Chshimba, Robert Gondwe (Green Buffaloes), Norman Munthali (Power Dynamos), Rainford Kalaba (Zesco United), Signs Chibambo (Zesco United)
well done
It appears this team comprises of players from Lusaka and only wo or three from Power Dynamos in Kitwe. I hope the continued ‘resurrection’ of Nkana and Nchanga will contribute to the national team.
Continued. Most teams played their international friendlies last night. Zambia, as usual nothing. No preparations.
Bafana Bafana clobbered Paraguay last night 3-0. I dont like Bafana but I have to give ‘the devil’s due’. Bafana played well last night.
Billy, I was thinking the same. It was FIFA International DAY, all the serious teams played friendly games. Zambia is not just organised any team in Europe to pay travel and accomodation to have them for a friendly
Shidada, maybe after the FAZ elections this weekend maybe someone will start making serious contacts for these internationally friendlies.
and tht someone is? great kalu!!
This boy Mayuka is vey good. I see him being the greatest striker Zambia has ever produced. Mark my words this boy will play in the English Premiership at some stage. My concern however is that we fail to get our best talent for big tournaments. Zambia has a lot of players in Europe. When Sinkala was injured I was shocked that the coach failed to call Misheck Lungu in Hungary. I was surprised to see a player like Dube Phiri, who did nothing against sudan, playing when boyd mwila in sweden could have done better. Edwin Phiri is another player in Sweden who could add value to the defence. There is som much talent at the moment that I feel Zambia should have eliminated cameroon at the Africacup
cont..
FAZ is not organised that is why I believe Hanif should be a given a chance. There is a boy by the name of Charles Renken in the US he is very good. He is eligible to play for zambia but if we don’t act quickly he will wear an american jersey. Kalusha was vice president of Faz and I feel he failed the nation when it came to team selections. Too many players in S.A and the local league were called to save on money and yet we have players in Europe. Leagues like Finland, Israel, Sweden, Germany, Norway have plenty of zambians there can we have a more organised FAZ executive this time.I wiill not accept failure in 2010 qualification!
cont..
West Africans are succesfull because they use all their talent at U-20 and all their players in Europe. Why can’t Faz be serious. Justine Zulu was part of the U-20 team that went to the world cup. However since he moved to Israel he has been forgotten. All in the name of saving by Faz. Give Hanif a chance please he has been in football administration for 29 yrs not Kalu. He is not ready he is after personal gain.
John, # 7-9, Good analyses bro. I agree with you wholeheartedly. We have players in Europe but are not utilised and they only call players from SA playing in a mediocore league. FAZ is to blame and for sure we need Hanif hopefully he can bring changes to FAZ.
Most countries in the world and Africa including Malawi, Zimbabwe, Bostwana, RSA, were in action last night. FAZ could not organise not even a single game. Shame o you FAZ.
John 7-9 Good analysis indeed.I am happy that Faz is using the U23’s for this Africa Nations Championship.This is good for exposure and i hope some of these boys will graduate into the Senior National Team.I feel the same boys should be allowed to play COSAFA if at all this tournament will continue this year.I suggested the same last year on this Forum during the semi Finals of COSAFA that the U23’s be given an opportunity to play since the were playing Olympic qualifying games.
Majority of the boys that beat Mozambique snr team 3-0 team during the semis of COSAFA were U20 $ 23’s boys.On Mayuka when i watched the boy in Pretoria against Mozambique i was impressed i saw a star in the making.
I only hope the latest events surrounding the boy won’t bring him down.He needs a ‘Father Figure’ around him.Come Saturday may the best man become President of FAZ,for the sake of our Football may it be so.
Is there anybody who know’s the result of the Zambia Vs Swaziland game?
with the little organization we have in zed playaz get big headed so fast. Rising stars are not properly groomed into becoming real stars. thats where our devlpment lies