Who’s Who In Janza’s Chipolopolo?

STEPHEN PHIRI, Lusaka
HONOUR Janza’s relatively young squad faces some of the continent’s best sides at the 30th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Equatorial Guinea from January 17.
Janza kept faith in old-timers and debutants, with nine players who won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012.
Surprisingly, Janza also had the courage of including three under-20 players, possibly preparing them for future assignments, like Pele and Ronaldo of Brazil who were at the World Cup at the age of 17.
Kennedy Mweene, Davies Nkausu, Stopilla Sunzu, Nathan Sinkala, Chisamba Lungu, Rainford Kalaba, Emmanuel Mayuka, Evans Kangwa and Joshua Titima were all instrumental in guiding Zambia to the maiden continental triumph.
While dazzling Lubambo Musonda has had a run-out with the team already, other teens expected to offer that teeming inspiration are midfielder Spencer Sautu and striker Patrick Ngoma as Zambia seeks victory.
Others who will be making their debut are Donashano Malama, Christopher Munthali, Roderick Kabwe, Kondwani Mtonga, Bruce Musakanya, Ronald Kampamba and Jackson Mwanza. That is a huge number for a team expecting not only to go all the way but win the tournament.
Zambia are in Group B with Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tunisia.
Kennedy Mweene: Mweene will be making his sixth appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations. Having tasted glory in 2012, the 30-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns goalie will be looking forward to silencing the continent once more. Even if the armband will be with Kalaba, Mweene has widely been acknowledged as the leader of the team.
Daniel Munyao: The Red Arrows’ shot-stopper has improved over the years and is Mweene’s understudy and possible successor. He will be making his second appearance at the showpiece.
Joshua Titima: Titima was part of the team that triumphed in Libreville, Gabon, but three years down the line, his form has dipped to a level of becoming the third choice Chipolopolo goalkeeper.
Davies Nkausu: Nkausu was dropped after the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifying race but Janza recalled him. He was instrumental in Zambia’s success in 2012 and he brings stability to the defence.
Emmanuel Mbola: With the introduction of Roderick Kabwe, Mbola has no choice but to work hard if he is to kick the ball in Equatorial Guinea. Five years ago in Angola, Mbola made history when he became the youngest player at 16 to feature at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Christopher Munthali: Munthali is slowly establishing himself with the national team and with Nyambe Mulenga missing the tournament in Equatorial Guinea, the Power Dynamos man is expected to partner Stopilla Sunzu in central defence. Munthali played a crucial role in Nkana’s lifting of the 12th Super Division title in 2013.
Stopilla Sunzu: Two weeks before the kick-off of the Africa Cup of Nations, Sunzu relinquished the captaincy saying he wanted to concentrate on giving goalkeeper Mweene enough cover. At his best, the China-based Sunzu is unbeatable.
Roderick Kabwe:  Kabwe is a utility player who can be used as a left back, a midfielder and a striker. He is a good passer of the ball.
Donashano Malama: With time, Malama could be groomed into a quality right back. He is strong, has pace and can overlap to help out in attack. The Nkana defender will be making his debut at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Nathan Sinkala: Just as Argentina depend on Javier Mascherano in the defensive midfield role, Zambia looks to Sinkala to provide cover in that position. He is the link between the defence and the frontline.
Chisamba Lungu: Lungu was used mostly as a substitute during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series. The Russia-based midfielder will be eager to regain his starting position. He is a master of dribbling.
Kondwani Mtonga: The Zesco United man could feature in defence or in midfield. With Nyambe Mulenga injured, Janza could unleash him in defence to partner Sunzu. He will be making his debut in Equatorial Guinea.
Spencer Sautu: Having shined for the under-20 national team during the 2015 Senegal Africa Youth Championship qualifiers, Sautu caught Janza’s attention. The Green Eagles midfielder is a good dribbler and has an eye for goal.
Rainford Kalaba: Apart from being the Chipolopolo think-tank, Kalaba has been given another responsibility of captaining the team. Master, as Kalaba is popularly known, will strive to make this Africa Cup of Nations a memorable one.
Bruce Musakanya: Musakanya is fearless and meanders through opponents with ease. The Red Arrows midfielder could play a part in the Chipolopolo success.
Lubambo Musonda: With Christopher Katongo’s exit, Musonda is rolling in that position and with time he could establish himself.
Mukuka Mulenga:  Mulenga has struggled with injuries of late but announced his return to the Chipolopolo with a goal in Zambia’s 3-1 win over Sudan in an international friendly in Lusaka on August 31, 2014.
Ronald Kampamba: Kampamba struck the solidary goal in Zambia’s 1-0 win over Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on November 19. Sate Sate as the Nkana forward is known  will lead Zambia’s hunt for goals in Equatorial Guinea. He finished as the MTN Super Division topscorer in 2012 and 2013.
Given Singuluma: He is an experienced campaigner who has found his way back into the national team.
Jackson Mwanza: Mwanza will be hoping to replicate his Zesco United performance at the national team. He banged in 15 goals last season to be crowned MTN Super Division topscorer.
Emmanuel Mayuka: The Southampton forward could warm the bench in Equatorial Guinea. With little game time at his club, Mayuka is a shadow of himself. Three years ago in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, Mayuka finished topscorer with three goals alongside Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba and Christopher Katongo.
Evans Kangwa: Kangwa is a clinical finisher and with Zambia down 0-1 to Uganda in an international friendly in Ndola last year, the Israeli-based striker netted a brace for the Chipolopolo to win 2-1.
Patrick Ngoma: The Red Arrows forward was topscorer with six goals at the 2014 Region Five games in Zimbabwe. He is now targeting leading Zambia to victory in Equatorial Guinea. He will be making his debut at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Posted by Editor on January 14, 2015. 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