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.