With the inclusion of two 2012 AFCON winners in the provisional CHAN squad its time to look at players who the Pundits and some sections of the fans think should have made the cut.
Hot on everyone’s lips is U23 and Zanaco Striker Moses Phiri .Phiri has good physique and his eye for goal can’t be overlooked.He is one of the reasons why Zanaco ended second on the log and qualified for Continental Football.One would have Expected the Zanaco talisman inclusion after the news of Festus not being part of the team due to Military training engagements.
During the just ended U23 AFCON in Senegal where Zambia was eliminated in the first round without a win Team Captain Toaster Nsabata who has also made the cut had a disastrous tournament.With Such a Shambolic performance some section of the Fans feel the coach should have looked for replacement options.Among the names being suggested are Nkwazi’s Makasa Kalaba and Nakambala’s Moses Mapulanga.
Makasa’s Heroics helped Nkwazi reach the Barclays Cup final and in the top 6 of the MTN/Premier league.This is a big feet for a team which was playing its trade in the lower division just a season ago.Mapulanga has been one of the most consistent Goalkeepers and has long been linked with a move away from Mazabuka.
Mighty Mufurila wanderers duo of Captain Taonga Bwembya the freekick Specialist and Midfield genius Jacob Ngulube have also been talked about.Mighty ended in the top half of the table and that has a major part to do with the duo’s contribution.
Other notable absentee’s are Zanaco duo of Defensive midfield Salulani Phiri and defensive King Pin Ziyo Tembo who have been outstanding in the league this year.Nkana’s Walter Bwalya,Buffaloes defender Kabamba,power Dynamoes duo of Lawrence Chungu and Govenda Simwala are also been suggested by some sections of the Chipolopolo fans and football pundits.
The original idea of CHAN to have a platform where player playing their trade in domestic leagues can showcase their talents.It is meant to give chance to promising talents who might not yet have a breakthrough with the national team.
With every said it must be started that the powers to select a squad is solely the National Team head coach and his technical teams responsibility.Their alot of factors that are considered when selecting players which my include type of play,usefulness to the team and many others .So in as much as fans would want certain players to be part of the team but only the coach has the reasons has to why certain players are not part of his squad.
The fans can only be Edged to support the team and have faith in the coach.
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