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Look Out For Real James – Chamanga
THE national soccer team left for South Africa yesterday with China-based striker James Chamanga promising to prove his position in the Chipolopolo squad.
Chamanga’s inclusion in the Africa Cup of Nations-bound squad has been criticised but the player believes he still has the quality needed to make the team excel in Equatorial Guinea.
The Chipolopolo are scheduled to face Bafana Bafana in a friendly slated for Johannesburg’s Orlando Stadium on January 4.
Chamanga said in an interview before departure for South Africa yesterday that people calling for his blood are motivating him to prove his worth in the squad.
“I am happy that the coach [Janza] defended my call-up, that’s what’s important. The coach has confidence in me. It is just the will of God. People that are crying for me not to be called to the national team are my fans and I take that as advice that I should do well.
“They are advising me to be at my very best. I appreciate their support… that’s why they are concerned because they won’t complain if they see the real James,” he said.
Chamanga prodded the younger players saying they are doing well and need to be encouraged.
He said upcoming players need to be psyched on the importance of the AfCON finals as the platform is different from the qualifiers.
Under-20 midfielder Spencer Sautu is delighted with his call-up to the national team and sees it as a stepping stone to a spot in the Chipolopolo squad.
Sautu says he will not be intimidated at the AfCON finals if he makes the final team.
“It has always been my wish to play at the Africa Cup and I see this as an opportunity for me to cement a place in the national team. I take this as a privilege and I will do my best. I am very confident because I know my character,” he said.
Vice-captain Nathan Sinkala said the friendly against Bafana Bafana in South Africa is important for the team’s preparations ahead of the AfCON final.
The team will set up a training camp in South Africa for two weeks before coming back to Zambia for final AfCON preparations.
Posted by
monk
December 27, 2014 at 7:30 am
umuntu mutwe
EzrArzE
December 27, 2014 at 11:11 am
I’ve always blamed our poverty on our mindsets.
Africa sadly has the ”Waiting on Superman” mentality. Our issues are our own and yet we always rely on foreign aid to save us. At the sight of a ”muzungu” all knees bow, you see this in restaurants, clubs and churches. As soon as the whiteman gets in he is given the best seat in the house and all attention is on him.
We need to put a stop to this first. We need to see that we are enough for ourselves, that we can come together and fight our battles on our own. If help comes we welcome it but should n’t depend on it. If our mindsets change, then will start to see a positive progress.
We will feel deserving of only the best and constantly strive for it. We will stop littering our land and start nurturing it.
Judge Joe Bidden
December 27, 2014 at 12:11 pm
You sound like a loose Canon instead of applauding the players as the article is all about you busy yourself ranting racism. You forget you even have a white man on the technical bench helping Janza. Our team all its needs is full support from us and stop racist mentality. By the way is it not a white man who lead Chipolopolo to victory in 2012? Short memory.
Diskava
December 27, 2014 at 7:00 pm
@EzrArzE. You are spot on.I agree with you 100%.I always say the same thing to those around me.How I wish that we had even 40% of our population with you passion for mother Zambia.
Sea Man
December 27, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Chi Chamanga Chilikula.We Want Sate Sate In The Starting Line up.Drop Chamanga And Call Katongo.
Diskava
December 27, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Janza has no clue on what football about .Chamanga,Malama D and Mbola should not come anywhere near the national team.