Chipolopolo on Wednesday beat local side Power Dynamos 3-1 in a practice match ahead of Saturday’s clash against Libya.
The encounter played at Kitwe’s Arthur Davies against a team in strong contention for the local league title was an interesting affair, particularly in the second half when coach Dario Bonetti unleashed what looks like his main team for Saturday with Mbesuma on song.
Zambia opened the scores in the 20th minute courtesy of Noah Chivuta who finished off a Given Singuluma cross.
Power replied in the 37th minute with in-form striker Felix Nyaende cleverly lobbing over Chipolopolo second choice custodian Kalililo Kakonje after a three some communication breakdown involving the goal-minder, Hichani Himoonde and Chintu Kampamba.
Five minutes into the second half, Chipolopolo was ahead thanks to Isaac Chansa’s header finishing off Jacob Mulenga’s goal-bound header off Chris Katongo’s corner kick.
In the 73 minute striker Collins Mbesuma delivered a spectacle when he scored with an overhead kick making good use of a Katongo cross from the right flank. The former and Kaizer Chiefs and Portsmouth striker displayed flashed of what made him the most popular national team player the last decade, much to the delight of the sizeable crowd at Arthur Davies.
Substitutions by Power coach Beston Chambeshi of diminutive winger Simon Bwalya for midfielder Mukuka Mulenga and later Alex Ng’onga for Nyaende did not help matters as his counterpart Bonetti fielded a stronger side in the second half.
The Italian started the match with what looked like his ‘B’ team and immediately gave a clue of what his starting line-up would be when he unleashed a different team at half time.
First-choice goalie Kennedy Mweene, Francis Kasonde, Joseph Musonda, Nyambe Mulenga, Stopilla Sunzu, Justin Zulu, Chris Katongo, Isaac Chansa, Jacob Mulenga, Collins Mbesuma and James Chamanga were introduced.
Save for suspended midfielder Rainford Kalaba and Thomas Nyirenda, the rest of the team introduced at half-time was a replica of that which toiled to beat the Comoros Island 2-1 last month.
Power resumed the second half with only goalkeeper Joshua Titima introduced for Elliot Phiri at half time while their opponents had made a complete overhaul of the first 11.
The win comforts Bonetti as he looks for an outright win when his side goes into the final 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C match at Nchanga Stadium.
Libya is expected to arrive in Zambia at 22:00 hours aboard a chartered flight and would be accommodated at Protea Hotel in Chingola.
Zambia starting line-up (First-half)
Kalililo Kakonje, Davis Nkausu, Emmanuel Mbola, Hichani Himoonde, Kampamba Chintu, Thomas Nyiremda, Clifford Mulenga (Fwayo Tembo), William Njobvu, Emmanuel Mayuka, Noah Chivuta and Given Singuluma.
Power:
Elliot Phiri (Joshua Titima), Govender Simwala, Lawrence Chungu, Billy Imonda, Kamuzati Kabwe, Gilbert Kalusa, Simon Bwalya, Emmanuel Chimpinde, Felix Nyaende (Alex Ng’onga), Joseph Sitali and Kennedy Mudenda.
Zambia (Second Half)
Kennedy Mweene, Francis Kasonde, Joseph Musonda, Nyambe Mulenga, Stopilla Sunzu, Justin Zulu, Chris Katongo, Isaac Chansa, Jacob Mulenga, Collins Mbesuma and James Chamanga.
Bolayathu
Classic Mbesuma Shines In Practice Match Against Power added by Staffreporter on
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I need the whole team to shine for mother Zambia. We can do it lads and bring the lost glory of the chipolopolo Zambia. We have a very good team that can win the Africa Cup without any iota of doubt
it should be a must win 2 celebrate the victory 4 the PF,GO ZAMBIA GO.
i particulary watchd th game,mbesuma is stupid wen it cumz to hm scorin,i min th guy is great,nabwela,he jx nids much game tym n al wil be wel.
Another PF victory dotch kubeba boys go zambia go..
chimbolombolo boys shines whn u xpect less from them. i can guarantee u libya will fo come saturday.
BA MAMBALA KUWINA PA CHIBELUSHI NOTHING LESS
OK
No politics in football. Was this your first time to vote in the general elections? We voted in 1991 & won, we also voted in 1996 we won. 2011 we voted for sata becoz we needed change & won futi. To us senior citizens its not new but we happy.Separate football from politics.
We need to Destory Libya and heap more misery on that war torn country!!!
a win over libya is non negotiable
I am not a prophet of doom but it looks/sounds like another “DONCHI KUBEBAMANIA” is hovering above our heads and possibility of “some” violence if we lost.
Nshakayeko ku Chingola.
Sinizaendako ku Chingola.
Sikoinka ku Chingola
we are going to terrorizing Libya we ve all the missiles needed to invade there territory come on boys
Go zambia Go,please try to go for a win not a draw otherwise a loss means Missing two Africa cups.2012 and 2013.