Chipolopolo Takes On Jordan ‘Beaumelle vs Hossam Hassan’

COACH Patrice Beaumelle today takes charge of his second game as the locally assembled Zambia national soccer team takes on Jordan in an international friendly in Doha.
Beaumelle’s first match in charge was a 2-0 defeat to Brazil on October 15 in Beijing and this time he hopes to be on the winning side.
This match pits Zambia, who are ranked 67th on the FIFA rankings, against Jordan pegged 70th.
Jordan, tutored by Egyptian legend Hossam Hassan, will use the match to prepare for the two-legged 2014 World Cup play-off against Uruguay.
Beaumelle will be without regulars – Kennedy Mweene, Davies Nkausu, Joseph Musonda, Stopilla Sunzu, Hichani Himoonde, Nathan Sinkala, Christopher Katongo, Chisamba Lungu, Jacob Mulenga, Emmanuel Mayuka and Rainford Kalaba.
He, however, will rely on the experience of Joshua Titima, Kampamba Chintu, Noah Chivuta and Felix Katongo to subdue Jordan.
The quartet are Africa Cup winners.
“We are playing Jordan, a team that is facing Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup finals play-off match. I watched them beat Nigeria in a friendly and their penalty shootout win over Uzbekistan to qualify for the World Cup play-offs.
“They (Jordan) are a strong and experienced side so it won’t be an easy game. We will however do our best. It is these games that will motivate and boost the confidence of our players,” Beaumelle said.
Nkana striker Ronald Kampamba will lead the attack alongside Stanley Nshimbi or Festus Mbewe.
Kampamba is in tip-top and has scored 15 goals this season and today’s match gives the 21-year-old an opportunity to prove himself to Beaumelle and the country at large.
Mbewe’s last goal in Zambia colours was on August 3, 2013 – a 2-0 win over Botswana in a 2014 Africa Nations Championship qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola and the lanky striker will be hoping to shake the net again.
Chivuta, who campaigns for Thai side Nakhon Ratchasima, or Kondwani Mtonga,will play ahead of the defenders while Bruce Musakanya will operate behind the two strikers.
Dribbler Fwayo Tembo and Katongo will be supplying balls from the right and left wings respectively.
Katongo is making a comeback to the national team after a year’s absence.
Roderick Kabwe, Misheck Chaila, Shadreck Malambo, Mathews Nkowani and Julius Situmbeko are other options in midfield.
The last time the teams played was in 2007 at the World Under-20 Championship in Canada and the match ended 1-1.
But Jordan, buoyed by the 1-0 win over Nigeria on October 28 in Amman, are looking forward to another victory.
Hassan is no stranger to Zambians as he banged in a hat-trick in the 4-0 bashing of the Chipolopolo at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations group match in Burkina Faso.
Hassan will look to Hatem Aqel, the scorer of the solitary goal against Nigeria, for inspiration.
The defence of Jimmy Chisenga, Fackson Kapumbu, Christopher Munthali and Bronson Chama should keep it tight while Davy Kaumbwa is a sure starter in goal.
Chintu, who is player-coach at Kabwe Warriors, is another option at the back.
Yousef Al Rawashdeh, Ahmad Hayel and Odai Al-Saify are the other players who could give the Al-Nashama victory.
The match starts at 18:00 hours.

Posted by Editor on November 6, 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