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.