COLLINS ‘King David’ Mbesuma celebrates his goal with Fwayo Tembo and James Chamanga in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier, which Zambia won 4-0 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. – Picture by JEAN MANDELA.
AN ULTRA efficient Zambia easily dispatched Lesotho in yesterday’s Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier to have a foothold on Group D and sight bitterest rivals Ghana in the rear view mirror.
It was coach Herve Renard’s biggest victory, largely because he showed greater tactical masterstroke compared to the first leg, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Maseru.
His choice of the starting lineup was somewhat of a surprise, a combination of the proverbial recycled players, new brooms and regulars.
The biggest surprise inclusions were goalkeeper Daniel Munyao and midfielder Noah Chivuta, who, however, accounted for themselves well and could well be regulars as Renard goes for Ghana’s jugular in the group’s last game against Ghana in September.
The players generally put in a double shift’s work but most outstanding were two-goal scorer Jacob Mulenga, Mukuka Mulenga, Nathan Sinkala and midfielder-cum-defender Chisamba Lungu.
Jacob’s credit starts and ends with the goals; one fabulous finish and the other somewhat scrambled. His strike partner Collins Mbesuma was neater and busier and more willing to help out in defence.
Mukuka was daringly combative, especially for someone starting for the first time while Sinkala was calm, dictating play with assured confidence.
Daniel Munyao 7/10 – Starting for the first time, Munyao was confident – even over-confident sometimes – but he proved he could just be Kennedy Mweene’s perfect replacement when the regular shot-stopper calls time on his career. He made a brilliant save, diving low to stop – dead – an otherwise vicious shot. His judgment was near-perfect, especially in aerial tussles though, he was not troubled much.
Little wonder Mweene was applauding whenever Munyao made the saves.
Davies Nkausu 7/10 – The 26-year-old defender was in overdrive, thwarting most Sotho attacks and engineering majority of the attacks from the right flank. He was solid and crossed quite a number, which Mbesuma and Jacob could not put away. He is just the type of player a coach needs ahead of more challenging assignments in the coming months.
Chisamba Lungu 8/10 – One was tempted to ask: What was Chisamba Lungu doing in defence? But the showboating player demonstrated massive overlapping willingness and had abundant energy reserves. And to a crowd yearning for entertainment, he offered the right recipe. Backheels and swaggers defined his game and he could easily have been the best player had Mukuka not played. Or was he? Tough to judge, but hey, he is up there!
Kondwani Mtonga 7/10 – Unheard of only a month or so ago, but suddenly at the heart of the Chipolopolo defence. Thanks to the absence of injured Stopilla Sunzu. Mtonga was steady and covered his partner Hichani Himonde quite well. He seemed nervous on some moments but was, to a bigger percentage, a worthy choice for the central defence position.
Hichani Himoonde 7/10 – What’s there to say about Himoonde which you haven’t seen in seven years or so? Big, strong and reliable; full of energy and his stature just made things easy for him. He won almost all man-to-man contests and was, simply put, impregnable.
Nathan Sinkala 8/10 – He is the Xabi Alonso of Zambia. Full of vision and bravery. He battled for every ball and went in with tackles and headers. Additionally, he mopped up everything in midfield. One just wonders what such a talent is doing at TP Mazembe. His is of European standards. Where are you Jose Mourinho, David Moyes or Arsene Wenger?
Christopher Katongo 7/10 – A bit isolated wide on the right but very effective when cutting in. He delivered a looping header that was a show of intelligence and precision. He also provided a cross for Jacob to open the floodgates. He is captain extraordinaire; scoring in all the three games he has played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. What more would you ask for from a 30-year-old midfielder?
Mukuka Mulenga 9/10 – ‘Cometh the hour cometh the man’ perfectly describes Mukuka’s meteoric rise to stardom. Given Rainford Kalaba’s oversize shoes, Mukuka fitted well and one would argue he has won a place in the starting lineup. His breathtaking pace, dribbling and sheer ball mastery made him standout among good performers.
Records are available to show that Zambia hardly win a game without Kalaba but the newest in the book is that the Chipolopolo post bigger margins with the willowy midfielder in an attacking position.
However, a little chunk of flesh may be required to add to his weight given that he looked overly light and fell at the slightest touch, though that looked intended in most instances.
He was half a bar above the triumvirate of Jacob, Chisamba and Sinkala and, therefore, gets the nod as the best player on the day.
Hope he can replicate his form when Zambia guest the Black Stars as Brazil draws closer.
Collins Mbesuma 8/10 – The rebirth of Collins Mbesuma, the man now known as King David, is somewhat miraculous. He did everything expected of a striker – score, pass and shoot. He has lots of power, balance and most importantly self-belief. He looked the likelier scorer long before Jacob’s opener and fought hard to register his name on the score sheet. When he did, Renard rested him and the crowd gave him a standing ovation. A banner some fanatical supporters were carrying around the stadium reads: King David, please deliver us to Brazil. He seems to have graciously obliged.
Jacob Mulenga 8/10 – Jacob got his first brace in Zambian colours after warming the bench at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier in the year. He fought hard for his first goal, which was a carbon copy of his first goal for Zambia against Togo in 2004. Coincidently, it was also a World Cup qualifier! With back to the goalmouth, Jacob cooled the ball on his right thigh and acrobatically swung to let go of a thunderbolt that the Lesotho goalkeeper could at best watch in utter amazement – in fact amusement – as it nestled into the net. One-Nil. He returned to stab home a rebound to the satisfaction of Renard, who withdrew him moments later.
Noah Chivuta 7/10 – The coach’s tactic for Noah Chivuta was to cross for the two towering strikers. And he did that with a lot of dedication. There is still a lot left in his legs after all! That’s why he was recalled.
Subs
Fwayo Tembo 7/10 – His close ball control and sudden bursts in acceleration was too much for the Sothos. They succumbed to his dribbling magic too easily and in some cases sheepishly so.
James Chamanga 6/10 – He should have converted the chance after being sent clear but he did quite well to beat the keeper and be denied by the devilish width of the upright. Mbesuma did not let him down as he finished with aplomb.
Bonwell Mwape 6/10 – From the blues comes a boy called Bonwell Mwape. He showed some flashes of brilliance though he wildly missed an inviting cross that an ordinary man on the street would probably have put away. Don’t fault him; he is good and this was exemplified with the way he was running into open space and his blistering pace.
Bonwell is for the future and that future is Brazil 2014. Watch this space.
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