AS Zambia is mourning the passing on of Republican President Michael Sata, a grieving Chipolopolo need to wipe away tears and fight for a place at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals within two weeks.
Securing a berth at the 30th AFCON edition will be a befitting send off for the late President who was also Football Association of Zambia patron.
Chipolopolo coach Honour Janza prodded his charges to fight and earn qualification when the team faces Mozambique away on November 15 and four days later host Cape Verde in Ndola.
Janza has since named a 24-man squad for the two crucial fixtures and made a bold decision by leaving out some of the experienced players like Turkey-based striker Jacob Mulenga.
He also ignored out-of-favour captain Christopher Katongo and clubless midfielder Fwayo Tembo among others and opted to give chances to the upcoming players like Nkana striker Ronald Kampamba, Under-20 starlets Lubambo Musonda and Spencer Sautu.
I salute Janza for being bold and trying to build his own team where he only retained nine players from the 2012 AFCON winning squad.
The players from the 2012 squad are Kennedy Mweene, Stoppila Sunzu, Nyambe Mulenga, Davies Nkausu, Nathan Sinkala, Rainford Kalaba, Chisamba Lungu, Emmanuel Mayuka and James Chamanga.
While it is a good thing to retain some of the experienced players, I still have some reservations on the inclusion of China-based forward Chamanga.
Understandably, Chamanga has been banging in goals in China but little wonder whether he was better than Mulenga, Alex Ng’onga, Collins Mbesuma and Bornwell Mwape.
I think it could have been better for Janza to also allow Chamanga rest for now and pave way for more-hungrier goal-getters who will bring something new to the team.
Granted Chamanga is a tried and tested combatant but I don’t think we need him now, especially if one looks at his recent display in the Chipolopolo jersey last month in Niger.
He was one of the worst culprits in Niamey by wasting several scoring chances and also failed to hold the ball upfront.
Anyhow, I hope Janza will rethink on the future of some of these veteran players.
However, I wish him the best of luck and pray that Zambia grabs a ticket to the 2015 AFCON finals this month. For comments email: malungaf@gmail.com