CALL SATE SATE TO THE NATIONAL TEAM NOW

By Mike Mubanga

So, Reynold 'Sate Sate' Kampamba is on course to winning his second successive golden boot award this season.

With just four games left to play, the Nkana striker is just ONE goal shy of replicating last season's 15 goals he banged to earn the well deserved golden boot.

This is the same Sate Sate who has been involved in Zambia's fair share of success at youth football level, having been one of the most instrumental lads that have won the last three installments of the Cosafa under-20 Championships.

The combination of Evans Kangwa and Sate Sate was lethal at Cosafa, but I wonder why former Zambia coach Herve Renard could only limit his eyes to seeing Kangwa and bypass non-talkative Sate Sate.

In July 2013, Renard spoke openly of why he had continued to sub Kampamba saying 'he must work very, very hard to win back his national team place'.

“I would like to see more determination, to show anger and to push the door more to be in Chipolopolo,” Renard said.

But how many games did Monsieur Renard have after winning the Cosafa Cup but still didn't give an opportunity to Sate Sate, who had been banging goals for Nkana? 

Still, Renard did not call him, even when Zambia lost out on CHAN, what an excuse.

Going forward, Zambia has only played one game ever since the 2012 Africa Cup winning coach left the southern African nation; I am asking this question to caretaker/interim coach Patrice Beaumelle, why can't you pick him for future games?

Simple truth: Kampamba is young but he's one of the best strikers Zambia has ever had.

Sate Sate critics, do not judge the young man from Chipolopolo's training sessions, bring him on in the field of play and you will see how dazzling he is. 

How many strikers have scored a hat-trick in the Zambian premier league this season, how many? Well Sate Sate has done that, and he continues doing that.

Many are saying Sate Sate's national team non appearance in the national team may come to an end now that Patrice is heading the Chipolopolo Boys.

I am saying this may only be true if my good French guy of mine starts his own legacy and not ride on Renard's omissions and squad lists.

Let not any hatred anyone has on poor Sate Sate be the reason for his continued ommission, we want our best local players, now that everyone in Zambia is talking of rebuilding, rebuilding, and rebuilding of the national team.

FREE SPEAKING KEAGAN MUMBA WON'T BE SHUT EASILY

No amount of intimidation can shut me up - Mumba

FREE SPEAKING KEAGAN MUMBA WON'T BE SHUT EASILY

By Mike Mubanga

Keagan Mumba is probably one of the football victims that is hated for speaking the truth.

In this 21st century, there has been a lot of politics in football than there is in politics itself, and people like Keagan have fallen victims of such unfortunate developments.

When Keagan was suspended on labour day May 2013 for bringing the name of the game into gross disrepute, I was one of those keen followers of football that did not get shocked by the decision.

Mumba attacked former Zambia coach Herve Renard’s 2014 CHAN qualifiers and 2013 Cosafa Cup nationwide trials that he described as moribund, and that landed the man into hot soup by FAZ.

But critically hearing the matter at hand, you will agree with me that the three month suspension on the 2012 FAZ/MTN coach of the year was HARSH.

Harsh because his comments were rather fair, and fall in the category of 'calling a spade a spade and NOT a big spoon'.

Nevertheless, the ban was served and there he was in August, back on the touchline.

In his comeback speech, Mumba maintained that he would not stop speaking his mind, and vowed never to keep quite if someone tripped on him.

Throughout the ban, Keagan grew stronger and stronger, and I could see a person becoming more determined and eager to avoid people shutting him up anyhow.
And that statement was practically used in October, when he was doing what he does best, speaking for the less confident and shy guys.

Mumba was VERBALLY suspended for insurbodination by Zanaco chairperson Edward Mutale.

This is not the first time he is clashing with individuals.

Have we forgotten the April 2012 showdown when Mumba and FAZ technical director Honour Janza were in a near punch-up at Football House?

For those of you who do not remember, Mumba merely asked Janza to choose between staying on as FAZ technical director or as Herve Renard’s number two.

That was a big issue, and a fist of fury almost erupted, as Mumba bravely demanded an explanation on Janza’s dual roles.

His success on and off the field of play has been dented by one thing, hatred.

In a nutshell, I feel 2012 National Sports Council of Zambia Coach of the year has been victimised by people that lie to themselves that he is their friend and vice-versa.

Mumba has deservedly earned the status of being one of the best local coaches we've had in Zambia.

He has won personal, club and national accolades due to his unquestioned commitment and hard work to duty.

This season, I do don't think Keagan will defend the league title with Zanaco, but his work ethic towards improving local football has been tremendous.

Having won the title last season, I would advice Keagan to change goalposts and look for a club that can accommodate divergent views.

If he says he's not free in expressing himself, let him see off the contract which ends in January 2014 so that he can start a new life elsewhere.

In signing out, I offer no support nor apologies to those that keep quite when confronted with sensitive matters that have a direct bearing in their football management.

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!

By Mike Mubanga

Catherine Phiri next to her manager Chris Malunga

All this time, I have always held female boxing sensation Catherine Phiri in high esteem and the night of Saturday September 28^th, 2013 was no different.

It was a night that the young World Professional Boxing Federation-WPBF bantamweight champion got a shot at the African Boxing Union-ABU Bantamweight belt.

Six hours before the fight, I checked in to know how Cathy was doing, her feelings ahead of the big fight, and one of the biggest to be staged in Zambia in recent years.

Looking straight in my eye with a convincing statement, Cathy stated. “I am ready, I believe in myself, and fans should look out for the new ABU Bantamweight champion. The pressure is there but I am going out there to do it.”

The build-up to the fight had been stressful for her, knowing that she had to attend to school matters and train for the big fight at the same time. Months back, she enrolled as a Grade nine pupil at Lusaka’s Namununga primary school.

Her opponent, Toma Hawa Babirye of Uganda had filled the local newspapers with all sorts of press statements and ‘threats’ for the young Cathy, telling the continent that she would know her out in the seventh round, what a statement.

I was one of those that were assured by Toma of the seventh round knockout. She even went further to tell me. “I am not here to play, I am here to show Cathy what I am made of, I don’t know much about her, but I promise my fans that I will knock her out in the seventh round,” Toma said in an interview shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

Toma had earlier that day arrived at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport via a Kenyan Airways flight at 23:43 hours accompanied by her coach Michael Kizza and welcomed by Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions Operations Director Chris Malunga.

At the Oriental Quarries Gym, Cathy said one thing. “I have heard that Toma is talking too much, let her continue talking but in the ring, I will be the boss.”

The moment of truth fell on Toma, who failed to stand the 10-rounder fight, with Cathy on song at the highly packed Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka.

The first three rounds were a nightmare for the 26 year old Ugandan, and the end of the fourth round was even worse, as Toma was showered with excessive punches by the young lady.

Babirye was surely running out of ideas, and the cheers from fans inside the nearly packed Mulungushi Conference Centre motivated Catherine to go for the killer blow.

“Kill the burger, will bury her here,” sang the crowd.

But it was in the eighth round that Catherine served the best for last when she technically knocked out Babirye, forcing Zimbabwean referee Patrick Mkondiwa to stop the fight.

Deservedly, the win stretched her professional unbeaten record to seven fights.

 “I was the boss in the ring, I told you that. She told me she would knock me out in seven rounds but I did it in the eighth round. This brings a lot of happiness to me. I want to prove in education that I can do it too by passing my grade nine exams. My aim is to get the WBC belt, when I get that, I will be very happy,” Cathy confidently said after the fight.

Cathy wears the biggest smile which her Manager Chris Malunga cannot wear

CHARLES IS TRULY THE INVINCIBLE.

Oh my, anyone who watched Charles ‘the Invincible’ Manyuchi pummel powerless Isaac Sowah of Ghana to defend his ABU welterweight belt can say the same thing, Charles was a beast!

I have not seen a Bolo Punch being used by our Zambian boxers lately, but Charles, who hails from Zimbabwe, used it well and very timely, to kill off his opponent.

“Alapena Uyu, Isaac Alapene (this one will go mad, Isaac will go mad) said national boxing coach Kennedy ‘The Moving Trap’ Kanyanta, who was watching the fight next to me at ringside.

From my observation, the mistake that Isaac made was to hit Charles under the belt. That was so wrong, and his action led to a punishment, a punishment that he will never forget.

In round three of the main bout, Charles went for a killer, chasing his opponent and blowing him out concurrently. This was then followed by a Liver Shot, in which the Invincible’s left hook connected with the lower right side of Isaac’s body with devastating effect.

Isaac was punched so hard that it turned into a Queer Street.  The guy did not have full control of his faculties after taking punishment; he even threw a punch to referee William Sekeleti, sending the crowd to go bananas.

The Ring Generalship went to Charles Manyuchi. He outclassed Isaac Sowah, and has already thrown a dig at current World Boxing Council-WBC Champion Patrick Allotey of Ghana.

“I want the WBC, Isaac was my messenger to Patrick, who is holding the belt illegally, it is mine, I will get it with ease. I believe Sowah has taken the message,” says Manyuchi.

How I wish that Cathy and Charles should continue fighting on the same bill because believe me, their ways of fighting is more entertaining than any other boxers I have seen in a while.

OBSERVATIONS ON CHIPOLOPOLO COSAFA VICTORIOUS SQUAD

Chipolopolo Boys toast to fourth COSAFA Cup title

By Mike Mubanga

Zambia’s winning of the 2013 edition of the Cosafa Cup was received with delight from all corners of our Country.

The joy comes after countless matches that we have seen from the Chipolopolo that saw the early ejection from the Africa Cup, and mixed results that have left us with half nails ahead of the 2014 crucial World Cup qualifier match against Ghana in September.

The 2013 Cosafa Cup was the THIRD trophy won by Frenchman Herve Renard after Zambia defied the odds to lift the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Libreville, Gabon aswell as winning the Nelson Mandela Challenge later that year.

Relief is the word that can sum it all.

My observations are centered on the three games Zambia played en-route to winning a record-equaling fourth title in the southern Africa national team championship, and a first in seven years.

They beat Mozambique 3-1, beat South Africa 5-3 on post-match penalties after a scoreless draw, and beat the Warriors of Zimbabwe 2-0. 

Five goals scored in open play, Bornwell Mwape (penalty), jimmy Chisenga, Moses Phiri, Alex N’gonga and Kabaso Chongo scored for the Chipolopolo which gives me a reason to share with you my concerns regarding the lack of goals.

It seems the lack of goals has persisted, and for truths sake, it has gone worse.

The only game we were at our best was against perennial losers and customers Mozambique. I should have seen more goals at Nkana stadium but the three were all we could see.

Through the games, Renard’s striking option of Mwape and Nkana striker Festus Mbewe didn’t work. Period.

Festus went down by each game that was played, fatigue or not national team material? That’s the answer you could give.

My own answer is that Festus needs to work very hard to convince me, or the Zambian fans in order for us to see the eye of Renard.

I feel Moses should have been given enough time to prove himself, just as I had written for Fwayo Tembo. Give the Zanaco danger man time to prove himself and he will bang in the goals!

Oh my before I forget, a lot of our locally based players were selfish I must say. There were times Mukuka Mulenga and Bruce Musakanya would dribble and hold the ball but releasing it was a challenge, why?

We need to stop being selfish upfront, lets release the ball when it matters (watch Spain, brazil and Barcelona). 

Kudos to goalie Danny Munyau, Kondwani Mtonga, Sydney Kalume, Bronson Chama, Alex and all the players that gave the Zambians what they were crying for, a trophy.

WHY ZANACO FANS ARE THE HAPPIEST AFTER WEEK 13 OF THE WEEK 13 FAZ LEAGUE

For known reasons, I don’t expect Nkana Football Club Fans to mourn continuously over their 3-1 loss to Zesco United in the week 13 of the FAZ/MTN 2013 Super Division.

My match preview on Friday was very clear, I forsaw a Nkana loss based on the history of previous meetings they’ve had against Zesco, in which they had not beaten the electricity men in 10 previous meetings.

 Zesco striker Winston Kalengo’s brace and Kondwani Mtonga were enough to cancel out Festus Mbewe’s opener, stretching Zesco's record of being undefeated for a record 11^th successive match over Nkana, since they were promoted in 2004.

The win pushed Zesco top of the league on 30 points, one above Nkana.

From this result, defending Zanaco FC are a more happier club especially after picking three vital points against Konkola Blades.

They now have 20 points, trailing Nkana and Zesco by nine and 10 points respectively, and if they continue with their winning form, the bankers are still firmly in the title contention.

This again, has been made possible by Nchanga Rangers’ inconsistency, in which they have lost three of their last five matches, thereby giving Zanaco a breath of fresh air.

A mention to third placed Red Arrows, who are determined to give Nkana and Zesco good competition.

To pave way for the Cosafa Cup 2013 that kicks off in Lusaka this week, the league goes on a break and when it returns- more mouth-watering fixtures await the fans.

Zanaco will square off against Zesco United, while Nkana will host Power Dynamos in a Kitwe Derby as Arrows will be entertaining powerless Lime Hotspurs.

The outcome of these games will surely change the league standings, and I will not be shocked if I see Zanaco smiling again. 

 

CONGRATS ZAMBIA!

By Mike Mubanga

In Devanshi Team Zambia trusted

You all need to give kudos to the Zambia ladies golf team for their splendid performance at the just ended third edition of the 2013 East and Central African Challenge.

Leading from the first to the last day was no joke especially that the four member team started on a shaky note, with an acute ankle injury almost forcing US-based golfer Melissa Nawa to pull out of the Challenge.

But against all odds, the country’s Devanshi Naik, Hilda Edwards, Tina and her sister Melissa Nawa upset the likes of Uganda- who also had their best golfer Flavia Namukula to spur Zambia to victory.

In Devanshi we trust, was a theme song for most golf lovers watching in the scotching sun, with the hands placed on their foreheads to create an ‘artificial cap’, just to see how the 2012 sportswoman of the year would perform.

From Sunday's 82, Tina improved her performance by one stroke, posting 81, but went on to be the last round’s best golfer on 76, an improvement which deserves credit.

Overall, the Zambia team managed to post a 717 gross for the best of three scores.

Dethroned champions, Tanzania pushed to second position with a 750 gross score, while Uganda was third with at 767 gross.

Here’s a few quotes from Team Zambia.

on the cards: Melissa recording her scores

Melissa on injury: The injury came at the worst possible time that it would have come, but I am glad I managed to help the team as best I could.

Melissa on Tina: Tina, I am more than proud of my sister- I never imagined that me and Tina would be playing side by side. We are in the top four in the country.

Tina on Melissa: My sister is a very strong competitor, her scores counted in the first two days, showing everyone that her contribution was vital.

Sister Love: Melissa and Tina embrace

Tina on Triumph: It’s made me a happy person. Beating Tanzania is a very good achievement and I know we are a very strong team because we’ve beaten them by so much they couldn’t even catch up from the first day.

Devanshi : All Smiles

 Devanshi Naik: the Zambian team played a solid three rounds of golf. I struggled a little more, the front nine was a bit shaky, but I took it easy and yes, the results have shown.