UPCLOSE WITH CLETUS CHOTA CHAMA-ZESCO UNITED MIDFIELDER

“Zesco United is the best club in Zambia….” CCC

ZESCO United has emerged to be a power house in Zambian football and in the year 2016, a follower of football would actually say ZESCO United is slowly becoming a power house even on the African continent. There are a number of factors that has made this team stand out too numerous to mention. One of that rise is to do with the players that the team has assembled together. One of such a player now dependable is Cletus Chota Chama.

Bwezani Mbewe of Soka25east and Bwezani with Zambian Football took time to share with Cletus Chota Chama the rise of ZESCO and as well as got personal with the ZESCO Midfielder.

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BWEZANI WITH ZAMBIAN FOOTBALL: CLETUS TELL US BRIEFLY ABOUT YOURSELF AS WELL AS YOUR FOOTBALL BACKGROUND.

CLETUS CHOTA CHAMA: While am Cletus Chama Chota. I started playing soccer when I was in grade six in 2002 and that was in Mansa. I completed my secondary education in 2009.

In 2010 I joined Nchanga Rangers and moved to Roan United in 2012 that was around mid-season. After that season I was called back to Nchanga Rangers in 2013 were I only played for six months and later on joined the prestigious Power Dynamos.

In 2014 I joined Zesco United and if you count the years this will be my third year and according to my contract my last because I signed a 3-year contract.

BWZF: EVERY PLAYER LOOKS FORWARD TO BE CALLED TO THE NATIONAL TEAM. KINDLY SHARE WITH ME WHEN YOU WERE CALLED AND YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE NATIONAL COLORS.

CCC: Unfortunately, people only concentrate on the senior national team forgetting the junior representation but anyway I was first called to the under 20 national team in 2011.And for the senior national team my first game was the CHAN tournament which was held in Rwanda early this year against Zimbabwe we won 1-0, That was my debut.

BWAZ: LET’S LOOK AT THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CAMPAIGN FOR 2016. AS A PLAYER HOW DO YOU FEEL TO HAVE GONE THAT FAR AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE CLUB?

CCC: As a player it was a great achievement for me in the last two years I have been here we didn’t do well in the continental matches and the CAF Champions league. But this year we really did well I would say going as far as being number 3 in Africa is not an easy thing. I thank the technical bench, our fans, our sponsors ZESCO Limited and all those who contributed towards us reaching that far in the competition. We say thank you. That feeling Bwezani was great and a memorable one, something you want to do more and more because you just cannot explain how it feels.

BWZF: WITH THOSE EXPLOITS, CAN WE CONCLUDE THAT ZESCO IS THE BEST TEAM IN ZAMBIA AND PERHAPS ONE OF THE BEST ON THE CONTINENT?

CCC: Honestly what else should ZESCO United do to convince people that the team is the best. Yes, Zesco is the best team in Zambia. I know everyone has he’s opinion on this but mine is that Zesco is the best team in Zambia. And it’s for everyone to see.

BWZF: THERE ARE TOO MANY GAMES IN HAND FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND THE TITLE AND GET BACK TO THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEXT SEASON. DO YOU THINK IT IS POSSIBLE?

CCC: Yes, too many games in hand for sure. Chances are there we will do our level best. We as a team are focusing on that. We believe nothing is impossible and while we do our best we also understand and know that at the end of the day God’s will shall prevail but our target is to win the league 3 times in a row. Am sure we shall do it.

BWZF: IN THE ZAMBIA SUPER LEAGUE, WHICH TEAMS DO YOU ENJOY PLAYING AGAINST?

CCC: Wow!! I enjoy playing any team in the super league because as you may know for any team to be in the super league it means they did their best and are ready to compete. But playing against the Copperbelt teams, Nkana and Power Dynamos is so enjoying and challenging because you have to be at your level best to win these two teams and surely they also train hard not to lose to ZESCO United.

BWZF: WHICH TEAM HAVE FOUND IT CHALLENGING TO PLAY AGAINST IN THE ZAMBIA SUPER LEAGUE?

CCC: For me all the teams are so challenging but my opinion is that it’s been so difficult playing against Nkwazi at their home ground. Not really that there are a better and challenging side but considering the state of the pitch, its seriously hectic to play at Edwin Imboela.

BWZF: CLETUS, WHICH GAME HAS BEEN YOUR BEST THIS SEASON IN THE SUPER LEAGUE?

CCC: I would pick the game against Power Dynamos at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. We beat them 4-0 and I scored two goals in that game. That I would pick to be my best in the Super League this season so far and hopefully some more games will beat that one.

BWZF: AM SORRY I WILL ALSO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR WORST THIS SEASON IN THE SUPER LEAGUE.

CCC: No need to apologize Bwezani, but I think for me the worst was the game we played against Mufulira Blackpool in Mufulira. The pitch was bad and it was difficult to play our usual football in that encounter. Thank God we won 2-1.

BWZF: WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND AT ZESCO UNITED?

CCC: mmmmmm they are all my good friends but am most found with Nkhowani.

BWZF: WHAT NEXT FOR CCC AND ZESCO? EARLIER YOU SAID THIS IS YOUR LAST YEAR?

CCC: These things you can never know until it happens, but making a move would be a good idea but now its too early to go into details. Am focused on winning honors with ZESCO United and achieving this years’ goals and objectives. For ZESCO United the best is to remain focused and united. Believing in God and always loving one another so we can all achieve our dreams and help the team to reach its full potential both in Zambia and in Africa.

BWZF: WHICH TEAM DO YOU THINK WILL WIN THE LEAGUE TITLE?

CCC: At the moment ZANACO are the favorite, but Nkana and ZESCO can equally win it so ZANACO needs to be careful.

BWZF: WHICH TEAMS DO YOU THINK WILL JOIN MUFULIRA BLACKPOOL IN THE RELEGATION?

CCC: We have six games; I think it’s too early to talk about teams which will join Blackpool but I think after two game we shall know the teams going to division one.

BWZF: ONE GRAY AREA CCC, YOU ONCE FELL OUT WITH GEORGE LWANDAMINA AT ONE POINT AND LEFT THE TEAM ONLY TO RETURN. HAS IT AFFECTED YOU IN ANY WAY?

CCC: (laughs) Life is not always smooth and we learn everyday but that’s nothing now if you think there is a problem.

BWZF: GOOD ONE. CCC ARE YOU MARRIED?

CCC: Of course am married to Mercy Chama and most of my free time I spend with my family. I have three kids, two beautiful daughters and one Prince. Natasha Lubuto Chama, Foster Chimwemwe Chama and Lucious Musonda Chama. Being with these guys whatever time is amazing.

BWZF: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTION IN PROMOTING FOOTBALL IN THIS WAY OF WRITING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FIELD AND NOW TALKING TO YOU PLAYERS?

CCC: It’s a very good thing, I would encourage you to continue and remain focused and believe that not everyone will like it. Am sure that you know.

BWZF: YOUR LAST REMARKS

CCC: I first thank you for considering me on this page and to share these opinions.

Football is round hence we who we say we need to develop this sport need to be careful on how handle certain things to do with football. Otherwise thank you so much for the opportunity

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done and thanks to Cletus for accepting to talk to us and to the ZESCO united for the permission granted. All the Best CCC in your career.

Look out for another profile of another player, remember we only profile players playing their trade in in the Country!

Bwezani Mbewe

Follower of the Zambian game!!!!!