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.