Zambia coach George Lwandamina has named a 26-member provisional team for Chipolopolo’s 2016 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) outing in Rwanda next month.
The team has a surprise recall for defender George Chilufya of Zanaco and formerly of Nchanga Rangers who is one of two original members in the team of the 2009 bronze medal winning squad under Herve Renard.
Sadly Chilufya gets the nod ahead of his central defensive partner at Zanaco club mate Ziyo Tembo.
Tembo has been a key figure in Zanaco’s backline this season where he has produced some solid never-say-die performances for The Bankers that have continued to go unseen for the Sunset side who finished second on the log in the 2015 campaign.
Strangely also, Green Eagles despite their poor performance this season when they finished 10th still have three players in the team while promoted Nkwazi and Mufulira Wanderers, who finished 5th and 7th respectively, have none for the CHAN selection trials that begin on December 14.
Meanwhile, eight of the players from the Under-23 team have also continued to enjoy favour for the final tournament selection that will run from January 6 to February 7 in Rwanda.
Team:
GOALKEEPERS: Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Daniel Munyao (Red Arrows), Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco)
DEFENDERS:Christopher Munthali (Power Dynamos), Boyd Mkandawire (Napsa Stars), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Donashano Malama (Nkana), George Chilufya (Zanaco), Bichizya Mfune, Adrian Chama (both Green Buffaloes), Dauti Musekwa (Zesco United)
MIDFIELDERS: Solomon Sakala (Kabwe Warriors), Benson Sakala, Patson Daka (both Power Dynamos), Mwape Mwelwa, Cletus Chota (both Zesco United), Spencer Sautu, Mwila Phiri (both Green Eagles), Jack Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Salulani Phiri (Zanaco)
STRIKERS: Charles Zulu (Zanaco), Festus Mbewe (Red Arrows), Conlyde Luchanga (Lusaka Dynamos), Adamson Mulao (Green Eagles), Winston Kalengo (Zesco United)
1. No goalkeeper, only if coach allow Munyao to be in goal, that Banda & Nsabata only perform against Nakambala.
2. Mid-field is the department with total shortage. Benson or Solomon Sakala can be good (the light skinned player).
3. Strikers are only two, Kalengo and Festus.
Boyd mukandawire is not near an inch of what we have seen from a left bk in Zambia ….we ve standards in this country wch were set ….. He can not supplement attacking by overlapping …. He can’t get to the central defense when it matters.. ( eg Joseph Musonda’s move …zed vs ivory cost afcon final )… Remember ;.Hillary makasa ….marks sinyangwe to mention a few in recent past otherwise someone will remind me of gentile and whiteson change…my questions is what is it that has been seen in this boy for him to be called ahead of fackson kapumbu , in form gbfc left back Stephen kabwe , dynamo s luarence chungu .Now were is moses Phiri , Govender simwala,,martin Phiri, Bruce musakanya, Julius stumboko .Kelvin mubanga ..sterward chikwandiwa …Paul katema plays like a central…
Boyd mukandawire is not near an inch of what we have seen from a left bk in Zambia ….we ve standards in this country wch were set ….. He can not supplement attacking by overlapping …. He can’t get to the central defense when it matters.. ( eg Joseph Musonda’s move …zed vs ivory cost afcon final )… Remember ;.Hillary makasa ….marks sinyangwe to mention a few in recent past otherwise someone will remind me of gentile and whiteson changwe…my questions is what is it that has been seen in this boy for him to be called ahead of fackson kapumbu , in form gbfc left back Stephen kabamba , dynamo s luarence chungu .Now where is Moses Phiri , Govender simwala,,martin Phiri, Bruce musakanya, Julius stumboko .Kelvin mubanga ..sterward chikwandiwa …Paul katema plays like a…
Zambia is going NOWHERE!!
True Zambia is not going anywhere due to biased selection of players.We ve better talent in Zambia and not these makula they ve selected.Surely why picking Toaster Nsabata when he has clearly failed the nation game against Japan and under 23.We are also not confortable with selection of Jack Chirwa,Body Mkandawire,Nsabata ,adrian chama and leaving better players like Moses Mapulanga,Moses Phiri,Lawrence Chungu Stephen Kunda and others.Is that George Lwandamina and the Company are under instruction to select the same players for senior and under 23 national team by Kalu?Even the blind person cannt see that there is a invisible hand because its not a concidence that different coaches can be selecting same players who ve failed the nation
I conquer with you gents ,I think tosta nsabata shouldn’t have been included in team,chan is not something we should take lightly ,we really need to be serious if they can George chilufya ,why can’t they also call Joseph musonda even Chris .I have seen how they have
preformed in local league and am sure they can bring some experience at chan.
We are still far to rely on a local coach as they cannot select a squad independently. Why recall Toaster, Chepeshi and all those who under performed at the just ended under 23 tournament? Honestly, at national level we need players who can lift the Zambian flag in soccer fraternity as well as take the opportunity to market themselves and compete at international level.