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The reigning African Champions Zambia got off to a not-so-ideal start when they let slip their lead against a 10-man Ethiopia. This adds pressure on Chipolopolo in their next game against Nigeria which they have to win. Their response against Nigeria will prove their credential of being worthy defending champions.
What Ethiopia did right
The lethal counter-attack of the Antelope Walias unsettled Chipolopolo down its middle. Saladdin Said, who missed a penalty, was the target of all their forward balls. Saladdin’s shrewdness on the ball resulted in Zambia conceding a penalty. In the 16th minute, a bounce of the ball was mis-timed by Himoonde but Mweene came out in time with raised hands causing Saladdin to loft the ball even higher.
The lethal counter-attack of the Antelope Walias unsettled Chipolopolo down its middle. Saladdin Said, who missed a penalty, was the target of all their forward balls. Saladdin’s shrewdness on the ball resulted in Zambia conceding a penalty. In the 16th minute, a bounce of the ball was mis-timed by Himoonde but Mweene came out in time with raised hands causing Saladdin to loft the ball even higher.
What Zambia did wrong
The nub of Zambia’s problems was a failure to decisively deal with the swift counter-attack of Ethiopia. Davies Nkausu and Joseph Musonda were slow in tracking back leaving Sunzu and Himoonde exposed. Often, Zambia’s midfield anchor, Nathan Sinkala was caught out of position in several Ethiopian counter-attacks.
The nub of Zambia’s problems was a failure to decisively deal with the swift counter-attack of Ethiopia. Davies Nkausu and Joseph Musonda were slow in tracking back leaving Sunzu and Himoonde exposed. Often, Zambia’s midfield anchor, Nathan Sinkala was caught out of position in several Ethiopian counter-attacks.
Ethiopia’s game was built on ball-retention and looking out for Said upfront. They Ethiopians passing was slick and fluid and they seemed to find each other quite easily. 18 of their 23 member-squad play for two clubs within Ethiopia.
The Mbesuma-Katongo striking combination fails to click
Collins Mbesuma was isolated upfront in the first half. When Christopher Katongo had the ball he opted to go for glory by shooting from absurd distances instead of seeking out Mbesuma who could hold the ball and open it up to others.
Collins Mbesuma was isolated upfront in the first half. When Christopher Katongo had the ball he opted to go for glory by shooting from absurd distances instead of seeking out Mbesuma who could hold the ball and open it up to others.
Mbesuma’s well-taken goal just before half-time showed what he could do with good service. Isaac Chansa’s stupendous headed pass unlocked a tight Ethiopian defence. Mbesuma ran onto the pass and used his muscular build to simultaneously control the ball and create space between two defenders – qualities of a top goal poacher.
Should Jacob Mulenga have started the game to deal with aerial balls? Should Mayuka have partnered Mbesuma from the beginning? The problem for the coach appears to be what to do with his captain Christopher Katongo. It appears he can’t be left out and because of this we shall not know the answers to these questions.
Should Jacob Mulenga have started the game to deal with aerial balls? Should Mayuka have partnered Mbesuma from the beginning? The problem for the coach appears to be what to do with his captain Christopher Katongo. It appears he can’t be left out and because of this we shall not know the answers to these questions.
Midfield moments and the Chisamba Effect
Chisamba Lungu is arguably Chipolopolo’s most skilful player. His forward runs and defence-splitting passes augment Zambia’s attack. He is the best crosser of the ball in the team as he weighs his pin-pointed crosses very well.
However, in defensive positions, Chisamba is more liability than asset. The penalty he conceded in the 22nd minute was because he initially lost the ball in the middle and had to hastily track back to put out the fire he had fanned.
Lungu later failed to track Girma’s run leading to Ethiopia equaliser. The calamitous moments in Chisamba Lungu’s game notwithstanding, he still managed to pick himself up and managed to trouble Ethiopia on the left with runs, dribbles and crosses.
Chisamba Lungu is arguably Chipolopolo’s most skilful player. His forward runs and defence-splitting passes augment Zambia’s attack. He is the best crosser of the ball in the team as he weighs his pin-pointed crosses very well.
However, in defensive positions, Chisamba is more liability than asset. The penalty he conceded in the 22nd minute was because he initially lost the ball in the middle and had to hastily track back to put out the fire he had fanned.
Lungu later failed to track Girma’s run leading to Ethiopia equaliser. The calamitous moments in Chisamba Lungu’s game notwithstanding, he still managed to pick himself up and managed to trouble Ethiopia on the left with runs, dribbles and crosses.
The urgency and direct play Mukuka Mulenga brought into the Zambian midfield when he replaced Isaac Chansa showed the rich alternatives Renard has in the centre.
Rainfold Kalaba had his moments at set-pieces but he needed to be on the ball often. Collins Mbesuma would have benefitted from a Kalaba on fire.
Uncertainty in Zambia’s defence
When Himoonde mis-timed the bounce of the ball in the 16th minute it became clear what a long afternoon Zambia’s defence would have. Every time Hichani had the ball at the back, he failed to find a Zambian with his passes. This brought further pressure to a brittle Zambian midfield.
When Himoonde mis-timed the bounce of the ball in the 16th minute it became clear what a long afternoon Zambia’s defence would have. Every time Hichani had the ball at the back, he failed to find a Zambian with his passes. This brought further pressure to a brittle Zambian midfield.
The presence of Sunzu at the back stabilises the defence and he had to be called in to cover the rear flanks when Zambia was caught out of position. Joseph Musonda and Davies Nkausu’s overlapping forays rendered them redundant in defence at times especially as they could not track back in time. This stretched Zambia’s defence.
Emmanuel Mbola’s absence at left-back and the later substitution of Joseph Musonda coupled with a Davies Nkausu often caught of position on the right in the first half raises questions of stability in Zambia’s defensive flanks.
Going Forward
A draw is not a fatal result to Chipolopolo’s campaign. They drew 2-2 with Libya at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations but still topped the group and went on to win the tournament. However, what the draw does is that it makes the Nigeria- Zambia encounter a must-win for the defending champions. This adds a lot of pressure on the team but they have to come out and show that they are worthy defending champions.
A draw is not a fatal result to Chipolopolo’s campaign. They drew 2-2 with Libya at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations but still topped the group and went on to win the tournament. However, what the draw does is that it makes the Nigeria- Zambia encounter a must-win for the defending champions. This adds a lot of pressure on the team but they have to come out and show that they are worthy defending champions.
Renard will need to find a winning striking formula. It was surprising that Emmanuel Mayuka did not come in much earlier to stretch the Ethiopian defence when they were a man down. Southampton man came on full of running and his direct play towards goal would have unsettled Ethiopia.
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