Zambia captain Kennedy Mweene has stressed that the best players in training will play on Saturday against Algeria in the match they must win to maintain their interest in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B qualifiers.
Seven Zambia Under-20 stars from last March’s 2017 U20 AFCON winning team that later reached the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea in June, have been called up to stake a place in the senior team.
Mweene said that everyone in the team knew the importance of the match and that it had nothing to do with personalities or experience.
“It’s not about age but who wants it more,” Mweene said on day one if training in Lusaka.
“We have a lot of youngsters with energy and we expect a positive result.”
Midfielder Emmanuel Banda of KV Oostende in Belgium ,striker Patson Daka of Red Bull Salzburg in Austria and Fashion Sakala of Spartak Moscow in Russia are part of the Under-20 call-ups expected on Monday.
Enock Mwepu of Liefering in Austria was part of Monday morning’s first training sessions at Woodlands Stadium in Lusakatigether with Mweene,Chisamba Lungu of FC Ural in Russia and Roderick Kabwe of Ajax Cape Town.
Mweene added that the presence of Leicester City striker and 2016 African footballers of the year Riyad Mahrez in the Algeria, was not a major factor to get intimidated.
“Not really a game of football is played 11-against-11 players and at the end of the day, football played in Europe is different from the way you play in Africa,” Mweene added.
Zambia and Algeria head into September 2 date at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka tied on 1 point each after two rounds of matches played and are one point behind 2nd placed Cameroon and a further five points adrift of leaders Nigeria.
Algeria will host Zambia in their final leg Group B meeting three days later in Constantine on September 5.
Nigeria hosts Cameroon this Friday in Uyo.
Congratulations Kennedy! I never knew you were the new captain!
I change line up:
1. Mweene
2. Samunjopa
3. Rodrick
4. Ziyo
5. Stophila
6. Kondwani
7. Emmanuel
8. Chisamba
9. Patson
11. Sakala
Is it a 10-a-side , bambo?
@Mohammed, 10 is better than 12 players Nyerenda start, and still loose at home.
Mweene was a big liability in the last game. The goals scored were almost own goals
@Fresh Blood
How does a foam of a play many months ago account. In esense it means whichever player scores in his goal, though Mweene never did, must be demonised! Its strange the way some Zambians think.
Iwe have you seen Mweene play at Sundowns the past year? He is on the bench throughout the season so how do you expect him to perform in the national team without match practice?
Only is Zambia, where a bench warmer at his club is still first choice goalkeeper and even becomes captain. Zambian football is really a joke, manyengwe.
Meant …only in Zambia…
I STRONGLY AGREE..MWEENE IS A BIGGEST LIABILITY
1. Mweene
2. Samunjopa
3. Rodrick
4. Ziyo
5. Kondwani
Maweeeeeeee WILL BE SURPRISED TO SEE THE ABOVE IN THE 1ST ELEVEN. Unless we want to lose
Mweene despite being on Perpetual bench is good experienced and better captain than AKAKUNKUBITI ka kalaba. With mweene in goal and captain Algeria is beated iam not sure of the return match. Also why only a space of 3 days for return match? it means on after the match on saturday the lads have to fly out immediately to Algeria
1 – 0 Zambia will win first leg and 2 – 0 Zambia will win second leg
Line up:
1. Mweene- Experience
2. Silwimba- Consistent Performer
3. Kapumbu- Best wing back in Zambia
4. Sunzu- History
5. Ziyo- Proven performer
6. Kondwani- Experience/discipline
7. Chaila-Rare talent
8. Chisamba- Versatile
9. Shonga- Lethal
10. Fashion – Ambitious
11. Mwepu- Upcoming
4-4-2 formation with 4 defenders, 2 holding midfielders, 2 attacking midfielders and 2 strikers with no wingers
Where is Kalaba and the other guys from TP mazembe (Zaire)