Former Zambia striker Mwape Miti says the current Chipolopolo squad lacks experience to compete at the high level.
1996 Africa Cup star Miti said youngsters are being rushed into the National Team minus proper graduation.
The former Denmark based star’s lamentations comes in the wake of Zambia’s 2-0 loss to Tunisia in Tuesday’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier at home in Ndola.
Miti, the ex-Power Dynamos and Mulungushi Chiefs player, said Tunisia are beatable.
“I know we are building a National Team but the manner in which we are building is not the best. There are so many young players who have no experience to play at that high level,” he said from his Kitwe base.
“For us, when we started playing for the National Team, we used to sit on the bench and watch. Right now most of the young players are rushed into the starting line up without sitting on the bench,” Miti said.
“For the technical bench let them pull up their socks. Let the technical bench do the right thing.”
Miti added: The loss to Tunisia pains me. It hurts me. Not too long ago we beat Algeria home and away under Wada (Wedson Nyirenda) and why can’t we beat Tunisia.”
After two rounds of matches, Zambia is second in Group B of the World Cup campaign on three points together with Equatorial Guinea, three behind leaders Tunisia.
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I feel bad to admit this because I hold Andrew Kamanga in high regard but I feel that he and his executive have failed to deliver the goods and should step down. Let another be given the opportunity to restore glory to Zambian football.
You are right Mwape Miti. As long as we do not rethink our strategy, will not get anywhere. We will always lose.
There was 18 players from the north and only 4 from other regions, meaning 18 bembas in the squard and 4 players represented the other regions. the selection was biased and lack quality.
Sometimes we need to be honest with ourselves. Mwape Miti may be right but all this talk was not there when he team won in Mauritania. And i believe people were just going to be on the praise side of the team if Zambia had beaten Tunisia. Because of that defeat all about the team is bad and all the positives should be ignored. The same old players with the much required experience failed to qualify for AFCON 2021. Some people see Kamanga alone in all this as the cause. Many teams faulted in their opening games and i am talking about well drilled and big teams. Yes you can’t discard old players but allow the coach to do his job without interference. He knows what he will do in the coming remaining games. Who knows you may be in for a surprise. Lets support the team.
I personally don’t understand those who select National Team players. When I check with other countries, they are still using players from 2012 when Zambia lifted the Afcon. Does it mean all those Zambian players from 2012 are not active enough to be part of the National Team? The team should have gradually blended in the younger ones from that crop and not completely forget them!
I submit.
I said yesterday let Zambia go on 4 year international football recess and overhaul the whole rotten system by removing the entire FAZ and starting afresh otherwise for the next 10 years Zambia will never be seen at AFCON let alone World cup
Transitioning after winning caf under 23 was poorly handled and seemingly that’s when current doldrums set in
100 % right, thanks Mr Mwape Miti.