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ZAMBIA Begin AFCON Struggle Against SENEGAL As RENARD Goes For ‘Smash N Grab’ Tactic
Zambia’s Chipolopolo begin their AFCON campaign tonight Saturday 1/21 in a 23:00hrs kick off against tournament fovourites, Senegal.
Chipolopolo Boys coach Herve Renard is set to name two debutants in his starting line up for Saturday night’s African Cup of Nations group opener clash against Senegal.
According to Zambianfootball.net, Russian based playmaker and debutant Chisamba Lungu as expected will start in his new found role as a right full back while the veteran Joseph Musonda is likely to win his 87th cap on the left full back.
The Zamfoot Crew also understands that Hichani Himonde will get the nod over vice captain Kampamba Chintu for the right to partner his TP Mazembe colleague Stopilla Sunzu.
Renard is also set to ring a surprise in midfield with another TP Mazembe player in the form of Francis ‘Mr Reliable’ Kasonde in the starting line up. ‘Mr Reliable’s versatility comes handy again as he will partner debutant Nathan Sinkala in what looks like a flat two holding midfield play. Chris and Kalaba are set to man the wide areas of midfield taking the left and right sides respectively.
Isaac Chansa will complete the packed midfield. He is expected to play in a similar role he plays at Orlando Pirates running from midfield just behind the main striker. Everyone will hope the former Helsinborg midfielder replicates his club (Orlando Pirates) form in this position which has made him one of the most prolific attacking midfielders in front of goal in the PSL.
Swiss based Young Boys striker Emmanuel Mayuka will lead the line as he gets a nod ahead of more experienced James Chamanga and Collins Mbesuma in what will be a 4 3 3 formation.
With the fire Power going forward attributed to the Senegalese, one can only nod the Frenchmans tactics as he has put enough cover in midfield in Nathan and Francis to shield the defence and has gone for tenacity to attack defend in Chris Katongo with Rainford Kalaba providing the balance in creativity. Isaac is expected to thrive in this position. His robust box-to-box play and knack for goals will come in handy as he offers options even outside the 18 yard box.
Midfield maestro Kalaba could end also having a free role, mainly drifting inside, allowing arguably Zambia’s skillful player Chisamba, playing at right back to overlap to weigh in crosses down the right flank.
Mayuka has been to more than one AFCON and has slowly learnt the ropes with his exposure to high level European football and should be ripe to lead the line.
The strategic is play a compact midfield, pack the bus and handle the West African’s aerial prowess, and then hit them on the counter attack in what would be a ‘smash ‘n grab,’ tactic.
Probable line-up: Kennedy Mweene – Chisamba Lungu, Hichani Himonde, Stopilla Sunzu, Joseph Musonda – Rainford Kalaba, Isaac Chansa, Francis Kasonde, Nathan Sinkala, Chris Katongo (c) – Emmanuel Mayuka
Posted by
the bestest
January 22, 2012 at 12:54 am
this is for FOOTBALL ENGINEER..WHO IS LOOKIN SHALLOW MINDED NOW? let me guess…”YOU!” ITS TO KEEP IR MOUTH SHUT IF YOU KNOW THAT ONLY ****** WILL COME OUT WHEN ITS OPEN,, YA WE WON!!! N WE MIGHT NOT KNOW YOU BUT YOU SOUND PREETY ****** TO ALL THE ZAMBIANS AND I BET YOU FEEL ****** TOO…. GOOOO CHIPOLOPOLO BOYS..BA ZAMBIA NA LELO TWAWINA CHIPOLOPOLO….
GUN.
January 22, 2012 at 1:01 am
I ment zed 2:1 senegal full time. What do you say bangwele?
BRE
January 22, 2012 at 1:05 am
@The playmakes at at excactly January 21, 2012 at 12:10 pm you predicted right. U are the new OCTOPUS for Zambia.
Give us another prediction
BRE
January 22, 2012 at 1:06 am
@The playmakes at at excactly January 21, 2012 at 12:10 pm you predicted right. U are the new OCTOPUS for Zambia.
Give us another prediction man
BigC
January 22, 2012 at 1:07 am
Well done Chipolopolo..Go Zambia Go Zambia 2 – 1
GUN.
January 22, 2012 at 1:09 am
Foolish Engeneer, Zambia can make you s.h.i.t in your pants,have some respect my boy.
GUN.
January 22, 2012 at 1:20 am
Chipubachandi thanks for the suport keep the faith.
ba arsenal
January 22, 2012 at 1:48 am
But ba engineer mwabola zo-ona. Oh and by the way, we do want the BP coz nobody can be alive without a Blood Pressure. What we don’t want is a High BP because of comments from people like you who clearly are negative minded by nature!
Kalimukwa
January 22, 2012 at 2:00 am
Sandoooo Viva Sandooo a true chipolopoloooo!
Prof; Zick
January 22, 2012 at 9:09 am
Zambia is coming back with the Africa cup of nations,God is our defender not the octopus(an animal can not and will never predict the future of a Christian nation,our octopus is Jehovah God.
Child of the Sky
January 22, 2012 at 10:54 am
Let’s move frommgiant killers to real winners.
McKhoza
January 22, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! LMFAO! I have been watching this space hoping that this punk who calls himself Football Engineer will say something after Zambia’s 2 – 1 win over Senegal. Let me guess how your body reacted to the match…1st goal, your right nut curled up from your sac into your stomach. 2nd goal, left nut followed suit! Ouch!!!