GO BOYS FIGHT AND CONQUER
The sheer brilliance with which Green Buffaloes mentor Bilton Musonda and his technical team has meandered through the gruesome 2017 season against all odds calls for a standing ovation.
An early mention of striker Friday Samu in this review is nothing but just in order. Another revelation that will be a disservice if we sat down and never took notice.
The Zambian soccer punditry could not by statistical and analytical sense placed GBFC to be by match day 37 be a point away from table toppers going into penultimate match day 38. With realistic chance of stealthily grabbing the converted title. Should the gods of the Army sponsored wake on the perfect side
Samu, the lad could not have proved any more important. Having doubtfully sanctioned unintentionally to the sublime second fiddle in the pecking order.
Bully striker Brian Mwila was the go to guy for goals for GBFC. But his departure left a daunting task to Musonda and ensemble of backroom staff. Had to do an experimental juggle.
But Samu has proven his mercurial abilities. Coming with important crucial goals. Typical of a big striker in the making. He answered the critics with aplomb leaving them standing akimbo in awe!!
Dimunitive midfielder Mike Katiba was excellent for Musonda and GBFC this season, and the technical bench would be too glad that it was a good buy from Mufulira Wanderers. His contribution on the pitch for the army side has all the ingredients that can count as part of the reason GBFC are headed into CAF competition next season.
It is hard to envisage that the 21-year-old still has a big future at GBFC. With such talent it wont be surprising if other big teams come knocking. Something I think this team should fight to avoid if they are to perform well in the CAF tours.
What went right
The partnership of Musonda and Bwale have built a Green Buffaloes team full of energy and desire that has developed a superb link with the club’s supporters which are seen now and recognized. This is what good performance does.
The addition of Katiba helped to plug the leaks in midfield that had cost GBFC last season, while the emergence of Diamond Chikwekwe was a huge plus.
Looking at the results of GBFC with one game to play, you wonder why they have not bugged the title , they have won more games this season heading to the last day than any other team and of course that is shared with Nkana and Zesco United who have also bugged 20 wins.
They have actually done better than ZANACO who are on 19 wins.
What went wrong
The 7 losses and the 10 draws. In many ways it was fitting that GBFC missed out on the title following draws against Nkwazi and perhaps some losses against Konkola Blades and Lumwana Radiants away. Key reasons why GBFC may just fail to land the title. On top of the bill, GBfC will look back to a home loss of that lone goal from Ignatius Lwipa that gave Nakambala full three points away from home. That was a massive win and a very bad result for Green Buffaloes.
Those are small margins that will point at Green Buffaloes failing to win the title.
Musonda’s men have been guilty of not finishing up games they were expected to win and letting leads slip. One key one being the away 2-2 draw to Zesco United were they led for big parts of the game only to get a point from a winnable position.
Next season they must finish teams off and the challenge will be huge. As they will have to marshal the team between CAF and League games with a chance of doing very well in the Barclays Cup.
What’s the verdict on Bilton?
The former Mufulira Wanderers playermaker continue as head coach, surely he has a good relationship with his players which has worked very well this season.
Hanging on to their brilliant head coach could be far more important for GBFC but I think not too much credit is being given to Bwale the assistant who took charge of the team when Musonda was away on National duties, particularly with under 20 assignments
These two coaches are key to the success of GBFC.
Transfer priorities
It is an open secret that musonda wants more attacking options, so he will have to sign a new forward this soon. He also needs more options in central midfield with the midfield looking lost when they have kittens changes due to injuries .
The priority, though, is to keep the current squad together which I think they will manage with the CAF Confederation on the table. Never should any team representing the country lose manpower in a manner 2016 Champions Zanaco did.
GBFC have a lot of work ahead of them and they may lose out on the title but I think finishing in the top four has proved to a worthwhile campaign.
HOME FORM FOR 2017 SEASON
It was close to having a perfect season at home but the two gray areas of Nakambala and Buildcon destroyed the would be fine run.
They collected 10 wins at home added to the 6 draws tells you Green Buffaloes was ready for this season.
Here are the games :
Green Buffaloes 3 – 0 Mufulira Wanderers
Green Buffaloes 0 – 1 Nakambala Leopards
Green Buffaloes 3 – 2 Nkana
Green Buffaloes 3 – 1 City of Lusaka
Green Buffaloes 1 – 0 Lumwana Radiants
Green Buffaloes 2 – 2 Kabwe Warriors
Green Buffaloes 1 – 0 Power Dynamos
Green Buffaloes 0 – 0 Red Arrows
Green Buffaloes 1 – 2 Buildcon
Green Buffaloes 1 – 0 Konkola Blades
Green Buffaloes 1 – 0 Nchanga Rangers
Green Buffaloes 0 – 0 ZESCO United
Green Buffaloes 1 – 0 NAPSA Stars
Green Buffaloes 2 – 0 Zanaco
Green Buffaloes 2 – 0 Real Nakonde
Green Buffaloes 0 – 0Lusaka Dynamos
Green Buffaloes 1 – 1 Nkwazi
Green Buffaloes 1 – 0 Forest Rangers
Last Game
Green Buffaloes Vs Green Eagles
It will be a good game to watch and a game that would bring CAF champions league football to Green buffaloes. Slipping away in this one and allow Green Eagles will be very painful for GBFC if Zesco and ZANACO drop points.
Green Buffaloes needs to do their work easier and that is beating Green Eagles and wait for the result from Sunset and Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The interesting aspect is that the team they are playing will be fighting for points to keep their super league status intact. Should Green Eagles lose this one and Mufulira Wanderers win away at Zesco United, then Green Eagles will be relegated. Of course there is that one equation in Chingola which will also decide the relegation fate. but for now it’s GBFC that shouldn’t allow drop of points if the title is theirs.
AWAY FOEM FOR 2017 SEASON
If Green Buffaloes were as good away from the start as they are at the end of the season and somehow mid season, they would have wrapped up the league with weeks to spare.
They failed to get an away win in their first four games of the season but they bugged their first with a 1-0 victory at Real Nakonde. They then struggled again until they played Nkwazi which followed two more victories at Forest Rangers and Green Eagles. But the end to the season was excellent, winning at very difficult places ,Power Dynamos 3-0, Buildcon 2-1 and Red Arrows 2-1. These are the results that kept their title hopes alive.
The rest
Konkola Blades 1 – 0 Green Buffaloes
Nchanga Rangers 1 – 1 Green Buffaloes
ZESCO United 2 – 2 Green BuffaloesNAPSA Stars 0 – 0 Green Buffaloes
Real Nakonde 0 – 1 Green Buffaloes
Zanaco 2 – 1 Green Buffaloes
Lusaka Dynamos 1 – 0 Green Buffaloes
Nkwazi 0 – 2 Green Buffaloes
Forest Rangers 0 – 1 Green Buffaloes
Green Eagles 0 – 2 Green Buffaloes
Mufulira Wanderers 1 – 1 Green Buffaloes
Nakambala Leopards 1 – 1 Green Buffaloes
Nkana 1 – 3 Green Buffaloes
City of Lusaka 0 – 1 Green Buffaloes
Lumwana Radiants 3 – 1 Green Buffaloes
Kabwe Warriors 1 – 0 Green Buffaloes
Power Dynamos 0 – 3 Green Buffaloes
Buildcon 1 – 2 Green Buffaloes
Red Arrows 1 – 2 Green Buffaloes
GOING FORWARD
They have done it and whether they manage in CAF tours will be debate for another day. For now GBFC and their fans have the right to celebrate this milestone and nothing should stop them.
But then the celebrations should stop at some stage and prepare for the more challenging task ahead of them.
For now why not join me and say
Go Boys Fight and Conquer
