Fri, 22 Dec 2017 13:00:25 +0000
By Grace Chaile Lesoetsa
CHISAMBA Lungu may have had a rough start at his club, but I have no doubt he will retain his midfield maestro form in 2018, says Zambia national soccer team coach Wedson Nyirenda.
Nyirenda said Chisamba may have been off and on the bench at his Turkish side Alanyaspor FC, but it was a phase that will soon pass. Speaking in an interview yesterday, the Chipolopolo mentor said foreign based players have had a competitive year at their respective clubs.
“After shifting to Turkey, Chisamba has been in and out of play. But I know him, he is working hard and will get back to his normal self,” he said. He said the midfielder still had a lot to offer to the nation.
Chisamba left Russian side Ural Yekaterinburg last April for Alanyaspor on a three-year deal.
Meanwhile, Nyirenda was impressed with the performance of South African strikers Brian Mwila and Justin Shonga.
He said Mwila had been consistent at Platinum Stars and displayed good football. He was also happy that the Orlando Pirates hitman Shonga had been able to play well as a lone striker.
“Mwila and Shonga have accounted themselves well at their clubs. I was impressed to watch Shonga play well upfront without a partner. And Mwila has been in a starting line-up and played so well,” he said.
Nyirenda said there was still room for foreign-based players who are playing well such as Israeli based Evans Kangwa and Armenian club Gandzasar Kapan left winger Lubambo Musonda.
He urged the players to work hard and aim to cement permanent slots at their clubs.
