Zambia kickoff their 2013 Cecafa Cup campaign on Thursday at Machakos in Kenya hoping to end an eight-game winless run.
Chipolopolo’s trace their last win to August 3 when they beat Botswana 2-0 in a 2014 CHAN first round, return leg game in Ndola.
Since then, they have picked up two draws before launching on a five-game losing run against Zimbabwe, Ghana, Brazil, Jordan and Egypt.
The last of those three losses have been even more delicate for new coach Patrice Beaumelle who has not had the best of starts since replacing his predecessor and mentor Herve Renard in October.
Victory in his first competitive in Kenya outing will easy the early pressure on Beaumelle who has also made minor changes to the home-based team that won the 2013 Cosafa Cup.
In has come Reynold Kampamba and Felix Katongo whose performances are eagerly anticipated and wil be closely monitored under the microscope over the next three matches in Kenya.
And Beaumelle’s decision to gamble on the underperforming Nchanga Rangers striker Bornwell Mwape and ignore Zesco United’s consistent and hardworking striker Winston Kalengo will also be closely watched during the three preliminary games at the Cecafa Cup.
Kalengo’s omission has left questions as to why a team that finished second in the league like Zesco has been under represented in the Cecafa team with just midfielder Kondwani Mtonga who limped into camp with a hip injury the only player from the Ndola club in Nairobi.
And the stage has also been set for Power Dynamos goalkeeper Joshua Titima to show his worth in the absence of the injured Daniel Munyau who is now official Kennedy Mweene’s number two.
Meanwhile, Zambia face Burundi in their penultimate Group B match on December 1 before closing their preliminary round fixtures against Somalia four days later.
Not so good news. Hopefully we win this game.
Chipolopolo’s luck is about to turn the corner
Winning???? Not with Bamuwele as the coach. This will be his 4th loss.
The reasons for Chipolopolo’s losses are ALWAYS known – suspect YES-MAN coaches, POOR TEAM SELECTION and THEFT OF PLAYER ALLOWANCES. It is NOT DOING something about these vices that keeps our soccer GOING DOWN.
But Winston Kalengo is more than 30 yrs old, I also wonder why Adubelo Phiri, Harry Milanzi, and Billy Mwanza the most consistent defender who made Nkana win the league title were omitted.
Are you out of your mind??????????????????? Harry Mlanzi cant even finish 30minutes on the pitch as was the case during NAPSA Stars last game. Lets move forward by bringing in new talent and NOT spent out, recycled players. What has happened to Evans Kangwa?
Y can’t Chipolopolo maintain the winning spirit like Ghana,Ivory Coast & Nigeria.Whenever Chipolopolo faces an opponent whether strong or weak,the end result is ussually unknown.they @ tyms draw 2 a strong opponent & lose 2 a weak opponent.What suprises me again is that they never accept defeat.All they say is ‘we played very well but…but…..we will win next tym’.When next tym comes,they continue with but…but…
No hope with an assistant P.E Teacher as coach. Zambia will either draw or lose
You are loser, most PE teachers are trained coaches, coaching is just part of training.
Good excuse for a miserable country to smile after a win,against the likes of kenya,burundi,somalia but not Tanzania mwailasha
Ethopia 0 Kenya 0
Iwe demon @nyoko u are the one miserable not the country.Has Zambia become miserable because yo under five leaders can’t make to state house? Go,go,go boys and suprise pipo!
Bemuele should spend 100% of training time just practicing goal scoring techniques.
Also he should deliberately over commit going forward. Results will be Zambia scoring 5, conceding 3.
bemulu is a gona coach