Mweene Backs Chipolopolo’s Misfiring Strikers

Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene backs Zambia’s misfiring strikers following the teams’ recent 2013 Africa Cup exit.

Mweene literally carried the teams’ burden in South Africa saving a penalty and converting another while his strikers only managed to score one goal in three Group C games.

The Free State Stars goalkeeper told MTNFootball.com everyone has taken collective responsibility for Zambia’s early exit.

“It is a team sport and each and every player has got his responsibilities,” Mweene said.

“When there is a penalty to be saved, that’s my responsibility to keep the team in the tournament.

“When it is the strikers time to do their job, that’s their responsibility.”

Collins Mbesuma is the only striker who managed to find the target for Zambia and that was in the teams opening Group C match against Ethiopia that ended 1-1 on January 21.

The highlight of Zambia’s scoring malaises saw the unprecedented benching of captain and key striker Christopher Katongo in Zambia’s final Group C match against Burkina Faso on January 29 that ended 0-0 to see Chipolopolo eliminated after finishing third in the group.

“I won’t say I am disappointed in my strikers the same strikers got us here,” Mweene said.

Katongo scored in Zambia’s 1-0 win final round qualifier over Uganda in the first leg qualifiers last September.

However, it took Mweene’s post-match penalty save in Kampala in the final leg decider after finishing 1-1 on aggregate to book Zambia’s place in South Africa.

Posted by Admin on February 1, 2013. Filed under SPORTS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry