SINCE jetting into Equatorial Guinea for a second crack at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, the Chipolopolo has set the locals abuzz but the results from the pitch have left many with a sour taste in their mouths.
The loyalty of local Guineans, who have adopted the Chipolopolo as the second team after their Nzalang Nacional, cannot be questioned because they still have fond memories of Zambia’s 2012 AFCON exploits.
However, from the two games played so far, Zambia has only managed one point against DR Congo and lost the other to Tunisia, leaving the locals with doubts on whether the Chipolopolo can again light up the AFCON like they did three years ago.
The major talking points have been the team’s failure to convert their numerous scoring chances and also inability to hold onto the lead as evidenced in the Congo and Tunisia matches.
Honour Janza’s charges, who include 13 AFCON rookies, outplayed the more experienced Tunisians and even got a deserved lead through Emmanuel Mayuka but lack of concentration saw the Carthage Eagles steal a dramatic late 2-1 victory.
Against Congo in the opener, Zambia stunned the star-studded Congolese with the quickest goal of the tournament so far when Given Singuluma scored just a minute and four minutes into this fixture but the Leopards were allowed back to claim a share of spoils later in the second half.
Janza and his technical bench which now includes a Mexican technical analyst, Sergio Fentanes should be able to find an antidote to this quickly before tomorrow’s crucial decider against Cape Verde at Estadio de Ebebiyin.
Failure to win against Cape Verde may justify some concerns raised by several fans on the composition of the squad after Janza took a bold decision to chop several experienced players mostly from the 2012 AFCON winning team.
Janza, justifiably, said he was building a team for the future which should be ready for the 2017 AFCON finals whose qualifiers will start later this year.
I can only wish the Chipolopolo the best as they take of the Blue Sharks in the last attempt to get into the quarter-finals.
+++++
On another topic but still with 2015 AFCON, it is undeniable that new Chipolopolo skipper Rainford Kalaba has been one of the best performers for Zambia so far.
Kalaba and to some extent goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene have been outstanding. It was refreshing to see starlet, Lubambo Musonda putting up an impressive showing on his AFCON debut against Tunisia.
But a British online magazine, Fourfourtwo.com picked the five African players whom it feels have so far impressed in Equatorial Guinea and could be possible targets for top European clubs.
Good news for Zambians is that Mweene was among the top five identified by the magazine.
Also on that list are Senegalese Stephane Badji, Didier N’Dong of Gabon, South Africa’s Thuso Phala and surprisingly Gervinho of Ivory Coast who was even sent off in their opening match against Guinea.
Let us now see who impresses again as the 2015 AFCON continues. For comments email:malungaf@gmail.com