Chipolopolo AFCON 2015 squad deficiencies The Chipolopolo provisional team announced by Coach Honour Janza appears to have pandered to mass hysteria of the fans. It does not show serious reflection by a coach who is going to the tournament with the aim of winning it. The squad appears to be an assemblage of a team in a rebuilding process bloodied by mostly young players. Striking Force The exclusion of experienced striker Jacob Mulenga currently of Turkey’s second division side, Adana Demirspor is a surprise. All the goal getters selected by Janza, apart from Emmanuel Mayuka, have never played in the Africa Cup before. Evans Kangwa was a non-playing member of the 2012 Chipolopolo cup-winning side. The rest will all be making their maiden appearances. Jacob Mulenga brings to the Chipolopolo attack a different dimension. He is good in the air and has physical presence to mix it especially with West African opposition. No other striker brings this dimension to Chipolopolo’s striker. Aside these attributes, he is an experienced striker who has played at the top level in Europe for a long time. In the absence of James Chamanga, Collins Mbesuma and Christopher Katongo, Jacob Mulenga should have been included in the squad especially to come on as an impact player when another dimension is needed to unlock or unsettle opposition defences. The exclusion of the fledgling Roger Kola of Israeli side Kiryat Shimona is also a surprise given the inclusion of ZESCO United’s Jackson Mwanza who failed to make the grade in Sudan. There is a reason why Mwanza has repeatedly failed to make the grade at Chipolopolo level and Janza is showing gross naivety by this particular selection. Defence The presence of Kondwani M’tonga in the team is a relief seeing Janza has not called him since he was appointed national coach. Though M’tonga plays as a defensive midfielder in the Indian Premier League, Herve Renard used to deploy him in a defensive role besides Stoppila Sunzu. In the absence of the vastly improved Nyambe Mulenga, M’tonga appears a sure bet for a central defensive role. Christopher Munthali has been unconvincing as a centre-back and is likely to be badly exposed at such a top level. The other problem with the defence is a lack of competition for the left-back position. It appears the assumption is that Emmanuel Mbola is unlikely to be injured or suspended. Should either happen, Chipolopolo will be in dire straits. Chisamba Lungu has in the past been played as a left-back with disastrous effect. It is surprising that aside Mbola we do not have a natural left back. Roderick Kabwe has been played as a left back but he is not a natural. Conclusion Clearly, the team selected shows Zambia is in a rebuilding process. There is a good blend of seasoned campaigners and upcoming Under 20 players. A surprise omission is the Under 20 midfield genius, Larry Bwalya of Nchanga Rangers who is clearly the answer to Zambia’s perennial midfield creative deficits. It appears Janza has not been watching Nchanga Rangers’ games.NAF
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 23:58:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015