ZAMBIA 1-1 GABON: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNT

By Mike Mubanga

Zambia and Gabon played out to a 1-1 draw in front of thousands of supporters including football patron and republican President, Edgar Lungu.

Here is what we learnt:

1.      ZESCO 2 - 2 Zambia/Gabon

It was all square at the Heroes National Stadium as Zesco blacked out the entire stadium twice; before and during the match. Actually, Zesco were two up before Rainford Kalaba scored for Zambia while Panthers goalkeeper Bitsike Moto’s coolly taken penalty went past Kennedy Mweene. Fans were a bit unsettled by the sudden blackouts, but information reaching the blog is that as 400 supporters gatecrashed. Lucky them.

2.      Poor Boyd, just one mistake swallowed all the fans’ praise

Defender Boyd Mkandawire put up a decent shift that drew fans' praise and maintained his status as one of the emerging young players in Zambian football. However, a needless challenge in the box was enough to attract Janny Sikazwe's whistle; penalty! Soon after, Mkandawire endured unnecessary hate from fans who all of the sudden wondered why he made the first eleven. Surely!

3.      The second half belonged to the visitors

Just as in Sunday's match against Kenya were the Harambee Stars dominated the second half, it was the same story at the Heroes National Stadium against Gabon. Zambia had the best 45 minutes scoring two goals and one goal in the Kenya and Gabon games respectively. The substitute bench made little impact in the game, and it is high time the team learns to endure in order to match the opposition of Egypt, Tunisia and Congo among other teams.

4.      Mbesuma still got it

Collins Mbesuma deserves a mention in the five things we learnt on Tuesday night. His touch and movement with the ball was so exquisite, and speaks a lot of a man who made his national team debut in 2003. It is encouraging to see that 12 years later, he can still be the answer to Zambia’s goal scoring problems.

5.      Zambia needs more freekick sessions

With enterprising play that has come with the combination of old and young players, a lot of free kicks are being created in goal scoring areas. However, it’s either the taker shoots 12 o’clock, or the ball goes straight to the goalkeeper. It cannot be bad, therefore, to have free kick sessions in order to master the art of scoring free kicks.

KENYA 1-2 ZAMBIA: 5 THINGS WE LEARNT

By Mike Mubanga

Zambia came from a goal down to snatch a vital 2-1 away win over Kenya in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Group E encounter played at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. The win leaves Zambia and Congo tied at the top in group E with four points while Kenya are third with a point.

Here is what we learnt:

1. Mbesuma proves that he is not excess luggage

With an assist and a goal to his name, Collins Mbesuma still proved that he can be the main man. He's been criticized for his below par performance but given an opportunity, 'King David' can still push Zambia to greater heights.

I am the man: Collins Mbesuma (middle) joined by Chisamba Lungu and Aaron Katebe

 

 

2. Game risky helped

Handing out starts to Boyd Mkandawire, Benedict Chepeshi and Jackson Chirwa was a gamble that worked well for Coach George Lwandamina. While Chepeshi may have had been more shaky than Chepeshi and Chirwa, it is safe to say that the trio will succeed in the Chipolopolo jersey.

Ouch! Boyd Mkandawire had a good game

 

 

 3.  Zambian players fell like 'Arabs'

The Nyayo Stadium faithful was left stunned by the falling of the Chipolopolo Boys players. While most of them were debatable, it was no wonder fans aimed team doctor Joseph Kabungo for attended to fit players. Kenya Coach Bobby Williamson felt that the match referee should have added 10 minutes.

"I am sure you (Kenya) have played with Arabs before, it was going to be worse than what you saw," Lwandamina said later in an interview. Was he endorsing his players fall?

Easy Doc! Kennedy Mweene was accused of time wasting

4. Victor Wanyama is a loner

After Paul Were hobbled off just after 27 minutes, Southampton ace Victor Wanyama who recently had his request to join Tottenham rejected, became of the outstanding player in the Kenya squad. Dennis Oliech, who made his return to the national team in over a year, did not help Wanyama. However, many Zambians will admire the passion and dedication Emmanuel Mayuka’s former teammate had when one of one with Rainford Kalaba and Collins Mbesuma among other Chipolopolo players.

Midfield genius Wanyama was not helped

5. Sangomas disappoint Kenya

The alleged Sangomas sought intervention for Kenya to beat Zambia. The two who deployed themselves at Nyayo stadium sprinkled water and some light powder inside the pitch but it never worked. Infact, it didn’t work in their favour as the Kenyans missed chances at the goal post which was worked on after it leaked to goals for Zambia inside the opening 45 minutes.

Not today: Sangomas had a bad day in the office

ORIANCE LUNGU SETS HER EYES ON RIO 2016; SAYS BEING A BOXER DOES NOT MAKE HER A SAVAGE

 

ALL SMILES: Oriance Lungu

By Mike Mubanga

She is quiet and reserved, but loves to share her obsession for boxing with everyone that has an interest in it.

At 25 years old, Oriance Lungu has emerged as Zambia’s female Olympic Games medal hopeful.

Not until sometime in August, Oriance was not known in the southern African nation despite earning her fair share of success at Haringey Police Community Boxing club in the United Kingdom.

But thanks to the Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) connection made by her cousin, Felix Konoso, Lungu’s dreams of representing and winning medals for Zambia has been brought nearer.

“Training with Oriental Quarries gives her a great opportunity to become a champion, because I believe Oriental is the name of the game,” Konoso says

When she came to attend trials at OQBP, she had a sparring session with African Boxing Union (ABU) Bantamweight and World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) bantamweight Champion, Catherine Phiri.

“I was so impressed that Zambia has been able to produce a well known professional female boxer and she is doing quite well,” Lungu said in an interview with Mike Mubanga Says.

‘We had our first sparring first session; she has lots of powerful punches but made me feel comfortable in the ring at their (OQBP) gym. I know that I will be able to learn a lot from her and I hope I can add something to her that can make her achieve more in her career.’

Catherine had an own observations after the sparring session.

“She was able to thrown five or six punches in a row, she’s a good boxer and I want to learn all the tactics that she has brought from England,” said the soft spoken Cathy .

SPARRING PARTNERS: Cathy and Oriance pose for a picture after the interview. - Picture by Jeremiah Chalwe 

Despite fighting competitively for three and half years, Oriance did an undergraduate Physics degree at Imperial College London and then went on to further her studies at the University College London where she gained a Master’s degree in Geophysical Hazards.

From just seeing boxing as a hobby while her eyes dug deeper in the books, she has managed to squeeze the sport in her school success; attracting comments from critics that she is somewhat a hard-line person who wants to let it out in the ring.

However, Oriance says her motivation was to take up a sport that would stand out.

“It’s a universal thing, people think we are savages but it is ridiculous because boxing requires thinking of how you will outsmart your opponent and school supplements that and I hope to win more medals for Zambia,” Oriance compliments.

The degree holder in Oriance has encouraged Catherine Phiri to also do well at school.

 “This has encouraged me a lot because way back people used to think that boxers are savages but here is Oriance with a degree! I also want to have a degree in order to remove the savage mentality,” Cathy expressed herself.

TAKE THAT: Lungu beats Csilla Csejtei to progress to the 2015 England Elite Boxing Championships finals. - Picture courtesy of England Boxing

But out of all this, it is surprising that her mother, who never expected Oriance to be in boxing, has never watched her fight. She is uncomfortable.

Mike Mubanga joins Cathy, Oriance and Sandra (far right) in the picture by Jeremiah Chalwe

 “At first I wasn’t happy with it but it was her passion and there was nothing I could do about it,” recalled her mother.

‘Up-to now I don’t go to watch her, I only watch her fights on TV and I don’t think she would be comfortable seeing me watching her.’

Her sister Sandra, who played football, netball and cricket in London, never expected her to shine in the ring.

“She’s overcome so many obstacles, studying physics and combining with boxing is really amazing,” a cheerful Sandra ticks Oriance.

NEW FAMILY: from left to right: Cathy, Chris, Oriance, Mike, Oriance's mum, Sandra and Felix pose for a picture after an interview with Mike Mubanga Says. - Picture by Jeremiah Chalwe

OQBP Promoter Chris Malunga has a huge task now, a task to ensure that Oriance’s dreams of fighting for the 50 year old nation is achieved.

“She is skillful and deserves a national team place. I will work hand in hand with the boxing federation and national boxing coach Kennedy Kanyanta who has already assessed her,” Malunga explained.

HAVING ONLY ONE CUP COMPETITION IS NOT HELPING ZAMBIAN FOOTBALL

By Mike Mubanga

On one end, we should be excited that the 2015 edition of the Barclays Cup has been launched but on another, we should be ashamed that it's the only cup competition we have in Zambia.

Surely, with all the love that Zambian fans have for football, they are only restricted to watching one cup competition. A really sad development.

While 'efforts' have continued being made on ensuring that another competition is played, there has been nothing concrete coming from Football House.

Therefore, the men and women at the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) should liberate the country by pushing hard for another cup competition. It is not too late.

It should be disappointing and no one person at Football House should be comfortable with this development.

Another cup competition will add value to Zambian football, another cup competition will provide more competition and another cup competition will increase the levels of beautiful game on football.

I think the FAZ councilors have an opportunity to query the current FAZ leadership and those aspiring candidates on what their plans are regarding cup competitions ahead of the 2016 elective AGM.

It is high time that we embrace issue based campaigns, not the taka taka way of soliciting for votes using underhand methods.

All the best to the 2015 Barclays Cup participating teams.

GOTHIA CUP: A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

Chiparamba players

By Mike Mubanga

There are many pathways that lead to expertise in football. Among them is early-engagement in football from early childhood, which is important for the development of all players.

International tournament are one of an effective option for young players to fit in the international profile of the demands of the game of football.

Thanks to Chiparamba Breakthrough Soccer Academy, Lusaka Youth Soccer Academy and many other Zambian academies that are making it happen for these young players.

Sweden is the home of the world's finest international soccer tournament – The Gothia Cup.

Heading to Sweden for this great event and meeting young people from Africa, Asia, Europe and some countries is probably the greatest cultural experience a young football player from Zambia could have!

With over 1,500 teams, playing over one thousand matches on hundreds of different pitches, for one week in July every year, the Gothia Cup in Sweden unites grassroots footballers from all over the world.

Staged in Gothenburg, the competition involves 7 boys categories and 6 girls categories, with those aged from 13 to 18 playing 11-a-side matches and those 12 and 11 competing in 7-a-side game.

The 2015 edition is the 41^st staging of the event, an event that has been breaking grassroots boundaries since it started. 

From their perspective, for the Chiparamba Breakthrough Soccer Academy, it's a huge experience for them.

Chiparamba players

Apart from Danny Siapelela whose participated in the Gothia Cup as a kid in 2009, it is the first time that all the Chiparamba players have been taken out of their home situations and then going on tour.

This is good for them in order to understand what it means to be a footballer away from home. 

Because later on, when they get down to the part where they do have to go overseas to trials, or when they do have to go overseas to play, they now have that understanding of what they need to do as footballers themselves. 

Chiparamba players

 Several players to have taken part in the Gothia Cup down the years have moved on to that next level, and in many cases, beyond, with a plethora of famous names able to point to playing in the tournament as a milestone in their development during their formative years.

In Zambia, players like 2012 AFCON winner Davies Nkausu and Hichani Himoonde, Given Singuluma, Edwin Phiri, Boyd Mwila, late Yorum Mwila, Jimmy Chisenga, William Njobvu, Clifford Mulenga, Dominic and Donewell Yobe, among others come up here in Gothenburg for the prestigious tournament.

Singuluma

Green Buffaloes’ Friday Samu, Davy Daka of Zanaco and Patrick ‘Dude’ Ngoma of Red Arrows are the latest products that Chiparamba continues to expose through the Gothia Cup.

Pirlo

On the international front, there have been some really good players who were kind of born here, like Andre Pirlo from Italy, Togo skipper Emmanuel Adebayor,Spain’s Xavi Alonso, Sweden’s skipper Zlatan Ibrahimovic and former England great, Alan Shearer; of course – You could spot their talent on the Gothia Cup pitch.

Impossible is nothing, the current Chiparamba team is capableof breaking through on the national and international scene.

Let the games begin!