The 2016 Zambia Super league came to it’s revelation and as usual Soka25east.com writer James Sibeleki recognises top performers of the term by compiling the TEAM OF THE SEASON.
Allan Chibwe (Power Dynamos)-Fackson Kapumbu (Zanaco)-David Odhiambo (Zesco United)-Ziyo Tembo (Zanaco) -Joseph Musonda (Nkana)-Rodrick Kabwe (Zanaco)-John Ching’andu (Zesco United) -Simon Bwalya (Nkana) -Jesse were (Zesco United) -Patson Daka (Power Dynamos) -Walter Bwalya (Nkana).
As a coach, i can put my life on the line with no second thoughts for Power Dynamos shot-stopper Allan Chibwe to start between the sticks ahead of CAF champions league semifinalist with Zesco United–Jacob Banda, league winners with Zanaco–Toster Nsabata and Racha Kola. I have full faith in the Chipolopolo third choice goalkeeper and that he cannot let me down for the fans to martyr me.
The left back position is farfetched for anyone else other than Fackson Kapumbu with the central defence occupied by David Odhiambo and Ziyo Tembo; the latter as the captain of the flight. Joseph Musonda brings his experience to the team on the right back.
Roderick Kabwe’s instincts, brilliance and ability to score scorchers from long ranges were factors to Zanaco’s league triumph.
It beats me how someone as short in height as Simon Bwalya can be so dangerous in the air and he scored for Nkana with his head on several occasions.
John Ching’andu was not only Zesco United most reliable player in CAF Champions league but he carbon copied his impressive form to the league as well. I can’t say the same to Cletus Chama and Mwape Mwelwa.
Who better than the aforementioned trio to form the midfield of the season?
Scoring 15 league goals on a maiden season, in a foreign land is not a mean feat. It would be very unjustly of me to leave out Jesse Were.
Besides Jackson Mwanza, the Chipolopolo U20 striker Patson Daka has a breakthrough story to narrate. Under the tutorage of Tenant Chilumba at Power Dynamos, he was struggling but as soon as Danny Kabwe took over the youngster resurged, finishing third on the scorers chart with 12 goals.
At the beginning of compiling this team from the goalkeeping department, Walter Bwalya’s node was already reserved. It was just a matter of who joins him or weather he should play as a lone striker. Scoring 20 plus goals in this era of the Zambia Super league is insurmountable. The Nkana hitman netted a whopping 24 goals to surpass the impossible and defy the odds.
Special mention to the bench made up by goalkeeper Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Billy Mutale (Power Dynamos), Simon Silwimba (Zesco United), Isaac Chansa (Zanaco) and Idriss Mbombo (Zesco United).
