Wednesday, 9 September 2015

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.

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