Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, 21 January: Zambia is determined to register a victory against North African soccer giants Tunisia in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Equatorial Guinea this follows its failure to earn maximum points in the opening fixture against Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
DR Congo’s Yannick Bolassie cancelled out Given Singuluma early goal that gave the Chipolopolo a premature lead, prompting the two sides to share the spoils at the end of the day during Sunday’s Group B opener.
The draw earned Zambian mentor, Honour Janza some criticism from some section of the soccer fraternity at home for the way he selected the team and positioned players.
DR Congo’s Yannick Bolassie cancelled out Given Singuluma early goal that gave the Chipolopolo a premature lead, prompting the two sides to share the spoils at the end of the day during Sunday’s Group B opener.
The draw earned Zambian mentor, Honour Janza some criticism from some section of the soccer fraternity at home for the way he selected the team and positioned players.
According to the online reports the critics have cited a scenario where the coach featured Singuluma as a base midfielder and the positioning of Ronald Kampamba on the hole as some of areas where the coach goofed.
“That position needs a ‘Ball Player’ who will pull the strings and is comfortable on the ball,” soccer fan Coach Franklin was quoted as saying by Zambia online soccer magazine Zamfoot.com.
Coach Janza acknowledged that his charges made some mistakes during the opener against their neighbours DR Congo and need to pull up socks in the Thursday encounter against Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles.
“I think we were a bit careless in our passing, we gave them an easy game and I am sure if we had passed the ball well it could have been a different result,” said Janza in post match interview with reporters.
Nevertheless Janza was not completely disappointed with the one all draw against DR Congo saying instead his side has drawn lessons from it and they will be applied in a game Thursday against Carthage Eagles.
“But a draw is not very bad, we will use it as a stepping stone to get a result in the next game [against Tunisia] because we learnt something from this game[against DR Congo],” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chipolopolo have been dealt a body blow following the injury of their midfield maestro, Nathan Sinkala who suffered a torn ligament in the opening Group B encounter and has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
However, Chipolopolo goal custodian Kennedy Mweene and Kampamba who had injury scare will be available for selection according to team doctor, Dr Joseph Kabungo.
Kampamba who is the team skipper limped off in the 73rd minute of the encounter against DR Congo and was replaced by Mukuka Mulenga.
Kampamba said the Chipolopolo side is not scared the day light out at the prospect of meeting the Carthage Eagles this Thursday saying their opponents area shadow of former self.
“We have played Tunisia opposition before with my club [TP Mazembe]. I have seen that they are not more courageous like they used to be.
We just need to apply ourselves 100 per cent and am sure we will get the positive result on Thursday,” explained Kampamba.
But he was quick to point out that it will take the kind of approach his side will apply on the day to get required result, since most players are playing at such big stage for the first time and will need to be psychologically prepared.
“That position needs a ‘Ball Player’ who will pull the strings and is comfortable on the ball,” soccer fan Coach Franklin was quoted as saying by Zambia online soccer magazine Zamfoot.com.
Coach Janza acknowledged that his charges made some mistakes during the opener against their neighbours DR Congo and need to pull up socks in the Thursday encounter against Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles.
“I think we were a bit careless in our passing, we gave them an easy game and I am sure if we had passed the ball well it could have been a different result,” said Janza in post match interview with reporters.
Nevertheless Janza was not completely disappointed with the one all draw against DR Congo saying instead his side has drawn lessons from it and they will be applied in a game Thursday against Carthage Eagles.
“But a draw is not very bad, we will use it as a stepping stone to get a result in the next game [against Tunisia] because we learnt something from this game[against DR Congo],” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chipolopolo have been dealt a body blow following the injury of their midfield maestro, Nathan Sinkala who suffered a torn ligament in the opening Group B encounter and has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
However, Chipolopolo goal custodian Kennedy Mweene and Kampamba who had injury scare will be available for selection according to team doctor, Dr Joseph Kabungo.
Kampamba who is the team skipper limped off in the 73rd minute of the encounter against DR Congo and was replaced by Mukuka Mulenga.
Kampamba said the Chipolopolo side is not scared the day light out at the prospect of meeting the Carthage Eagles this Thursday saying their opponents area shadow of former self.
“We have played Tunisia opposition before with my club [TP Mazembe]. I have seen that they are not more courageous like they used to be.
We just need to apply ourselves 100 per cent and am sure we will get the positive result on Thursday,” explained Kampamba.
But he was quick to point out that it will take the kind of approach his side will apply on the day to get required result, since most players are playing at such big stage for the first time and will need to be psychologically prepared.
By: Joel Chirwa
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