OPINION | IS ZANACO GOING TO BE “SENSATIONAL” AGAIN?

By Lucky Mwewa Chama | January 22, 2019
Coach Numba Mumamba is the man in charge of the sensational Lusaka based club, Zanaco Football Club. He has done well since being appointed coach at Sunset Stadium; winning a league title in 2016 and also masterminding the triumph in what seemed to be an elusive Barclays Cup in 2017.

That was not the case last season when Zanaco finished out of the top four behind Green Eagles, Green Buffaloes, Nkana and Zesco United. The team finished 13 points behind league winners, Zesco United.

Having been a force to reckon with in the 2017 season when they lost the league title by just one point to Ndola based club Zesco United. The team was solid under the leadership of Ziyo Tembo. In the 2017 season, Zanaco lost the fewest number of matches (5), drawing 13 games and winning 20 while finding the back of the net 57 times (most goals of the season) allowing 28.

The scenario was different last season; losing 10 games, drawing 4 managing to win 21 which translated to 67 points. This was not enough for the team to bounce back into the CAF Interclub competitions. Once again, Zanaco were among the high scoring teams alongside Nkana (66), Zesco (53) and Green Eagles (52) with Sensational getting 53 goals.

The undoing however, was the defence whiched leaked in 40 goals, something uncharacteristic of Zanaco in the past few seasons prior to last season. There was little that could be done as the backline was aging and was getting slower by each game played.

In a bid to compete on equal footing, Zanaco coach and the management at Sunset has made changes to the squad. The club has released six players as well as announcing a number of new arrivals.

The following players were released before the start of Zanaco’s preseason in Chipata. George Chilufya after expiry of contract, Chongo Chirwa, Andrew Kwiliko, Diddy Mpiana Kitumbo, Kennedy Musonda, who has since been loaned to Kabwe Warriors, Zimiseleni Moyo, club did not renew his contract. Isaac Chansa, who had six months remaining on his contract recently left the Bankers for Forest Rangers.

In a view to strengthen and add stability, Zanaco FC announced arrival of Congolese left-back, Disengomoka Pangi Autriche from Sporting Clube de Cabinda in Angola, Patient Ikamba from Lusaka Dynamos, former Unisport de Bafang captain, Richepin Tchokouaya, Kevin Owusu (Centre Back) from Nkwazi, Peter Kalota (Left-back) from Young Zanaco and midfielder Kelvin Kampumbu who was recalled after a two-year loan spell at Lumwana Radiants.

Zanaco’s pre-season training camp started back in December (9 December) and Mumamba Numba travelled to Chipata with his squad for a 14-day intensive training camp. The team played a series of friendlies against select sides from Eastern Province.

Numba included five youngstars in his Zanaco pre-season squad. Prosper Chiluya (left-back), Pempelo Mwanza (Striker) Pumulo Siwanga (Striker), Reagan Mpashi (Striker) and Chanda Mwape Jr. (Midfielder) were all included with hope that they will bring energy to the Sensational Zanaco team. Also included in the squad that travelled to Chipata was former National Assembly and Forest Rangers defender Rex Nkhata.

The Bankers have not completely changed the entire squad, with the likes of Toaster Nsabata, Richard Kasonde, Romaric Pitroipa, Tafadzwa Rusike, Chitiya Mususu, Martin Phiri, Guily Manziba, Ernest Mbewe, Boyd Musonda, Maisha Chavda, Felix Nyaende, Julius Situmbeko, Peter Banda, Racha Kola among others still part and parcel of the team.

The Bankers have played quite a good number of friendlies with the likes of Circuit City, Forest Rangers who beat them 4 goals to One, City of Lusaka, Maisha and Martin Phiri scoring a goal each to give Zanaco a 2-0 win.

Other preseason friendlies saw Zanaco thump MUZA FC 5-0, Edge Nkwazi 2-1 and 3-2 over two friendly games, before whipping Lumwana Radiants 4-0 with Roger Kola getting a brace, Maisha and Pitroipa scoring one goal a piece with the most recent match coming against Malaiti Rangers whom they beat 4-1 and 2-0.

Considering the number of friendlies played, the Bankers fans are hopeful that the team will perform better compared to last season. Administratively, Zanaco have looked up to the experience and expertise of former SuperSport marketing manager for Southern Africa, Marlon Kananda, who served for eight years. Kananda, however, said in an interview after his appointment that the task to make Zanaco a force to reckon with both in Africa and locally was tough but achievable.

The team will kick-off its 2019 Transitional Super League season against Red Arrows in a Lusaka Derby on 27th January at Sunset before engaging in another Lusaka derby with Lusaka Dynamos on 2nd February at Woodlands Stadium.

With the reported ultimatum at Sunset on coach Numba and his technical staff, how do you see Zanaco performing this season?

OPINIONS

OPINION | ZESCO UNITED’S CONTINENTAL EXPEDECTION SET TO CONTINUE IN SOUTH AFRICA!

Fondly referred to as “Zega Mambo” by its fans, the Ndola based Zambian Champions have continued to impress the Zega sympthesizers in continental football.

This year, having won the Super League, Zesco united started in the CAF Champions League were the dispatched Sonidep of Niger with a convincing score-line aggregate of 5 goals to one. The next challenge was Congolese giants, TP Mazembe.

The battle started in Lubumbashi were Mazembe managed to get a one nil score-line over the Zambian Champions. Days later, the battle field was moved to Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Zesco took the lead via their hit man Lazarous Kambole and the scores were square at one-all. However, a lapse in defense saw TP Mazembe got back in the game that was destined to end one-all on the day and 2-1 on aggregate to see the Congolese club march onto the CAF Champions League group stages.

The draw in Ndola meant Zesco United was to drop to the CAF Confederations Cup pre-group stages, where they were paired against South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs.

With the first leg now done and dust, the fans turned out in numbers at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium. The match started with Kaizer Chiefs dominating the early exchanges. Lazarus Kambole’s sharpness for goal was seen when he converted from inside the penalty area to give the advantage to Zesco United. Minutes later, Kenyan international striker Jesse Were converted from the spot kick to give Zesco United a 2-nil advantage before the break.

Kaizer Chiefs responded through Khama Billiat as the teams went on the break 2-1. The third goal was scored by Were, after benefiting from a Kambole lay off to ensure the host win the game 3-1 on the day.

WHAT NEXT FOR ZEGA MAMBO?

Having reached the CAF Champions semi-finals in 2016, only to fall at that stage against Mamelodi Sundowns, eventual winners of the competition in that year. 2017 was also another close call for the Zambian outfit only to fail in the quarter finals against another South African side in Supersport United.

Most soccer followers will be expecting Zesco United to get past the challenge of “Amakhosi” when the two teams meet in Johannesburg this Saturday based on the fact that team has been together for a long time and that would work to the advantage of the Ndola based team.

With 3-1 score-line in the bag, Zesco would do well to play a cautious game. The attacking prowess of Chiefs will yet again come to life when they play host to Zesco and most football pundits have predicted a tough encounter.

Anything less than 2-0 loss for the Zesco United team means a place in the CAF Confederation group stages.

TECHNICAL BATTLE AGAINST A WOUNDED CHIEFS TEAM

Speaking after the game, their German coach remained positive, insisting that the tie is not over. According to the club’s official website, he said, “We created numerous chances today… If we get these opportunities again next week, we will have to take them. If we do that, we are still in with a chance. Our defensive work was a bit weak.”

The experienced former Yanga Coach George Lwandamina will be looking to protected the lead, he has been now for tilting the squad in both defending and also going forward, attacking with confidence.

Importantly, the squad must be psyched as to why to tactical do this and that etc. This will be vital in limiting the flowless Chiefs attacking play. The return of Marcel Kalonda in defense will be an added advantage for Zega Mambo, who will also be hoping that the creativity of Enock Sabumukama will be available for selection as that would see the wonderful link up play between him and John Chingandu.

One thing certain is that Kambole, Were and Rahim Ousmanu will be leading the attacking as we have seen in the recent games that Zesco United has played in continent games.

An attacking Chiefs would be an opportunity for Zesco to explore with caution and get that goal that would just take the game beyond Amakhoi.

Middendorp and his side will welcome ZESCO to FNB Stadium at 20h00 on Saturday evening as Chiefs look to reverse the scoreline on home soil.

Zesco United have this game in their control.

ALL THE BEST ZESCO UNITEDzega line up