Zimbabwe beat Zambia 3-1 in 2017 Cosafa Final

(Karuru - Zimbabwe Captain and  Cosafa Top Goal Scorer)

Zimbabwe beat Zambia 3-1 in the 2017 Castle Cosafa Cup in a tactically superior battle of the titans. While playing hard and positive, the display was not direct but calculated.

The Zimbabweans lifted the Cup a record 5th time. They score their 19th goal in 6 matches. 

Eleven of those goals came from Karuru (6) and Mutizwa (5). They showed maturity from match day one until the end.

It must be said that both these countries' players exhibited similar playing intelligence in terms of anticipation, execution of basic technique and tactical awareness.

The final third entry proved to be exceptionally quick and the penetration very sleek for both sides. As a way to cement the point that the two countries deserved to play the final, the play was always switched from flank to flank, channel to channel, zone to zone and unit to unit with great peripheral vision.

It proved to be a great game of football overall and South Africa could do well to take some notes. Most of the game's characteristics result from sound football development structures.

Compared to South Africans, the Zimbabwean and Zambian players calculated 4 to 6 moves in advance like chess players. The Bafana Bafana seem to receive the ball, do everything they way and then decide what to do with it next.

In the group stages, Zimbabwe scored 12 goals without reply, announcing their intentions loud and clear. They were by far the most complete team, with the flawless attacking brand of football and solid defending.

Knox Mutizwa was Player of the Tournament, while Ovidy Karuru top scored with 6 goals. Tanzania provided the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

North Arab Africa failed at the AFOCN 2013, why?

Ghana and Cameroon won the Afcon four times each, Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo twice, while the Egyptians had it seven times, including that incredible popular hat-trick.

Other champions since 1957 are Tunisia, Congo, Zambia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Sudan, Algeria and Ivory Coast.

Let us remember the losing finalists as well for a change. Ghana and Nigeria lead the pack by having been there four times each, Ivory Coast, Zambia, Sudan, Cameroon and Tunisia lost the finals twice each.

Egypt lost the final once in 1962. They were third thrice. Nigeria were seven times number three while Ivory Coast and Zambia achieved that four and three times respectively.

Ten times did the north Arab Africa lift the trophy, making them the most successful region in Africa. This is a total of the Egyptians (7), Moroccans (1), Algerians (1) and Tunisians (1) champion titles.

Cameroon (4), DRC (2) and Congo (1) representing Central Africa won it seven times. This equalled the West African titles of Ghana (4), Nigeria (2), Ivory Coast (1). Sudan and Ethiopia got two titles for East Africa as did South Africa and Zambia for the Southern African region.

At the quarter-final stage of the 2013 Afcon in South Africa, there are seven West African countries and the hosts, South Africa left. Besides, even at club level, the north Africans have won the continental title on 26 occasions since the inception of the African club championship.

It may not be a trend but what happened in this Afcon that led to the elimination of the game’s power houses? Let us look at the luck of the draw.

Algeria and Tunisia were grouped together and toiled hard to eliminate each other. Both could have qualified but they played bad football, especially Algeria. Morocco engaged the hosts and minnows Cape Verde as well as Angola. They were tipped to top the group.

Algeria were rated the second best team in Africa, passing the ball well and moving forward quickly in smooth transitions. There was not much to separate them from their French speaking neighbours.

A world-class last minute strike robbed them of victory as they did not have time to respond. Actually, they did not need to have been in that situation. At worst Algeria could have done was to have a lead they failed to protect. They were supposed to hit the net and more than once. As all other northerners, their downfall was what is usually their strength – the excessive speed.

All Arabic countries played too many players ahead of the ball. This comes basically from the passion of the things they do rather than the speed of thought. The eagerness and anticipation never materialised as the opposing teams closed the men on the ball too quickly.

This made it impossible to deliver the early balls from crossing positions and denied the five passes following the winning of possession. The seven seconds counter-attacking window elapsed quickly for them.

If ever there was delivery of the ball, it was a shade too late. In few instances where the delivery was on time and at the right areas, the haste to deal with the ball let them down. More often than not, they were always caught napping by counter-counter-attacks of the opposition.

In their bid to get on their bikes to attack very fast and in large numbers, their rear was exposed tremendously. These were obvious in the matches involving Algeria versus Togo, Tunisia versus Togo as well as Morocco versus South Africa.

Usually, teams would keep enough resources at the back to deal with speedy players and systematic counter-attacks. By hook or crook, and maybe fluke too, the 2013 Afcon teams were well prepared to deal with counter-attacking football.

One cannot really place a finger on whether the failure of Egypt to be at the tournament had anything to do with countering the counter-attack. By contracts, the Ethiopians patiently attacked their opposition despite their naivety in being too casual at the back and depending on being just too timid.

To have a productive processes in the pipeline, the Arabs were better off playing the Ethiopian way because they concentrate well and they are solid at the back. This would then allow them to play behind the ball, save for an attacker or two.

The pace of the attack can increase and yield results if they ran at opponents, exactly the way Tottenham Hotspurs’ Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon would tear defences down. They have the capacities to play that way, but they failed dismally in their endeavours.

With Africa, one never knows if change is here to stay. One day, the winds of change will flow south and then east. Morocco failed to register a win, Algeria could only find the net in their last match in which they relinquished the a healthy 2-0 lead to afford the Ivory Coast a 2-2 draw. Tunisia managed a 1-0 victory over Algeria, a 1-1 draw with Togo despite that 3-0 drubbing by Ivory Coast.
 

Chipolopolo booking their early ticket home

As the Afcon champions, Zambia have placed themselves in a perfect spot to fail the defence of their title. A 1-1 draw with Nigeria stamped their departure date as the last day of the group stages, soon after their encounter with Burkina Faso.

Chipolopolo may buy time by netting a handsome tally against the ‘upright men’, the Burkinabe.  This is given, as all might have noticed the naivety of the fluent and free-flowing Ethiopians. The North Eastern nation plays well going forward, but their central midfield and central defence leak like a sieve.

Not that they leak, but are too confident, to the detriment of their overall performance. Nigerian will steam roll over them, especially if Steven Keshi is brave enough to field his fringe players who have nothing to lose but everything to gain.

The Zambian predicament is worsened by the one foot Burkina Faso has in the quarter-final after crushing Ethiopia 4-0. That score-line will be a confident booster and the physical West Africans will push the champions to the maximum.

By the same token, Ethiopia have no desire to play anymore and while that lack of pressure may be lethal, it will be wise to play them with a motivated side of fringe players who have a point to prove to the Nigerian population.

As of now, The Burkinabe and the Super Eagles are through, unless the former give it away in a silver platter.  

New football and the 'land of the upright men'

At the group stages of the AFCON 2013, take it that your team has a point at the first whistle. There is two elsewhere. The primary objective would then depend on who you are. One team is content with the single point already gained by donning the uniform and taking to the pitch. The other drops that point and chase all three from the word ‘go’.

Firstly, I have to say Africans are decent and civilised people. They excel in their being and in their coming in and going out. The barbaric crowd that hurled water bottles and vuvuzelas into the Mbombela Stadium football field when Zambia played Ethiopia are from another continent, maybe planet.

There is fresh football as firstly dished by Ethiopia when they disrespected the champions, Zambia, at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, and then the way Burkina Faso refused to be bullied by a star-studded Nigeria. I admired Ethiopians football until their fans threw missiles into the field.

For starters, one has to admire the East Africans abandoning their home soil and sojourning to Nelspruit, which was turned into Addis Ababa. What was special about it was not the numbers, but the cheer and the noise they made for their team. Even after the match, they behaved like they won the AFCON Cup.

I was embarrassed, firstly by the pushing at the ‘park and ride’ bus and a man who got into the bus and blocked the way, refusing passage to other passengers, really for no apparent reason.  Then the throwing of items during the red-carding of the goalkeeper and the Chipolopolo was way too much.

The Ethiopian number 8 played a blinder as an individual, my player of the tournament so far. As a collective, the East Africans patiently assembled goal-side and let the Southern Africans play football at pace and until they stalled.

Their transition was as patient as the African champions scurried for cover, they found themselves in sixes and sevens as the patient and lubricated penetration proved smoother and more effective.

While this gave time to Zambia to regroup, the Zambians found themselves covering unnecessary spaces, exposing themselves to the exquisite touches of the Ethiopians. Chipolopolo came looking for a physical contest which the Ethiopians were never interested in. They subscribed to the short crisp passing and slow movement occasionally punctuated by a long ball.

Their undoing was shooting a pass too early during the early stages. One obvious aspect to their confidence was the deafening crowd. If they can receive the same support for their next two matches, they will be a huge problem for Nigerians.

Ethiopia opened the Zambian defence with deft touches and deliberate central balls and were never under siege themselves. Their earlier chance that saw the ball bounce over the bar, the naively and hastily taken penalty that was saved by Kennedy Mweene could have taken wind out of their sails, but was testimony of their intentions.

Once the Zambians scored through Collins Mbesuma, a goal resulting from poor concentration at the back, left the Ethiopians a little paralysed. The second half saw them restore their tempo and the inevitable goal came while there was still time for either team to win it.

The match was quite a decent affair and the spirit of the Zambian players and their commitment to tackles and chasing was rendered useless as Ethiopia dished out a brand of football that I always cry about.

The most interesting aspect of their brand of football can see them rented to pieces by finer and opportunistic teams like ruthless Nigeria. Depending on how the Super Eagles shape up on the day, they may be in trouble with the Ethiopians. That will be a match to watch for me.

The West Africans were stretched by the less known Burkina Faso. The minnows were physical and showed less respect to the former champions. The men from ‘the Land of the Upright’ fought gallantly and matched their men fighting tooth and nail.

The prospect of watching them play Ethiopia is appetising. The Burkinabe used the ball and the pitch width very well. They looked to create chances and pushed forward with reasonable force.

The belief in their own abilities was what made so much difficulty for the Nigerians to find the second goal despite that early opener. It was amazing how the Super Eagles could sleep on duty and concede in the last minute.

Judging by the way the Zambians and Nigerians went about their business, one has a feeling they did not hit top gear. The problem with that is, there may never have the opportunity to.

One cannot shake off the feeling that this may be a tournament of the minnows. In both matches, the contests of interests were unit against unit and tactical awareness was a little better, though, both giants, Zambia and Nigeria were guilty of, again, poor decisions at vital moments.

I repeat that football requires good decision-making skills, moment after moment by everyone. Those guilty of not meeting the demands will exit the 2013 AFCON before we enjoy their company. The fortunate part is that there is lack of wisdom to punish the poor decision makers.

How long that honeymoon will last remains to be seen. Many teams will rue that ineptness soon. At the end of the day, Africa must remain the land of the upright as the tourney steps up a gear and pressure mounts. Scenes at the Ethiopia versus Zambia match by the fans must never be tolerated.

     

When money is the victim

The Zambian national team took South Africa's Bafana Bafanato the cleaners with a 1-0 win after a lethal Mbesuma strike in the Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup. The African champions were in no mood for charitable behaviour and did not respect their hosts, as they have always done in the conquest for the continent.

This leads us to one story. Bad economy does not make bad football; neither does a good economic environment directly translate to excellent football. Good football can stand the test of times; small population, war or famine. Football survives these tough times.

Ethiopia was a powerhouse during the most devastating human catastrophe of the 1980s. Their athletes excelled in international events. The issue of the game as a profession has pushed stakes the other way, making us believe it takes a good economy to play football.

Looking at the economically collapsing Greece, they were European champions a few years ago, though it could be argued their financial situation was sound then. Still, how much is the population of Greece? Just about the size of a small city.

Cape Verde success to AFCON 2013 at the expense of Cameroon is one to look and think again about what it means to play with passion and pride. Intimidation has always been said to be a self-destructive button used as a scapegoat by the under-achievers. Form books were torn apart as a small nation wrote their own history, and in what style.

Thiers follows another fairy tale of the Botswana in the last AFCON. The Zebras last year made waves by beating and out-qualifying former champions, Tunisia. Their performance in the tourney was not that bad either.

Spain won the FIFA 2010 World Cup, yet they are the poorest European country. They have a financial crisis that threatens global markets every now and then, yet the conquered the European continent nonetheless.

One can go on about how the Central African Republic and Gabon rose in Africa to be among the best 10 countries in Africa, at the expense of South Africa and say, Zimbabwe. Bafana Bafana flop and flop without shame and with chilling accuracy despite healthy budgets and well-funded ABSA Premier League.

As for England’s over-rating as the owners of the game, their being masters of their destiny is always questionable regardless of whatever image is portrayed. More is expected given the popularity of their league.

Around the middle of things, there is a neutralization of that picture. The United Arab Emirates’ rising can be a silver lining in that dark cloud as it can be argued that the petrodollar is driving the game up in the Middle East in general, but the sustainability of that upward movement is still to be seen.

I must emphasise the gripping and addictive acceptance of mediocrity by both South Africa and Zimbabwe. While the 2013 AFCON hosts are void of suitable material, their northern neighbours brew their fate without end and shamelessly.

The contrast does not end there. South Africa have the financial resources while Zimbabwe always sing the blues. However, one cannot remember the last time any of these teams qualifying for anything. Bafana have had the luck of playing without qualifying, but how long will that go on?  

At the end of the day, it is all propaganda and money is the victim.

How Zambia lifted the AFCON Cup

The Zambia national football team landed in the country with the 28th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, after becoming the 17th team to lift the trophy since 1957. The attachment of the historical victory to tragedy of the Libreville coast of Gabon disaster of 27 April 1993, in which the 18 of the Zambian's finest players perished, is overplayed after the win as it was before the tournament. The Zambia Football Association is the only survivor of the air crash, Kalusha Bwalya.

Bwalya played his football in Mexico then and his travel schedule meant he would meet his teammates in Senegal for a World Cup qualifier. The emotions and thoughts of the sons of the soils inspired a fine performance to the Southern Africans and against the fancied West Africans. The effect lasted in the hairs of the skin just a psychological advantage, that is all.

Chipolopolo (the Copper bullets) has three AFCON final appearances to its credit. They lost in the Tunisia 1994 edition final that followed the air disaster. Bwalya le the youthful inexperienced cadres against the odds.

The current campaign that led to the victory against the much fancied and flamboyant Ivory Coast, is not an out of the blue once in a moment show by Chipolopolo. In Seoul 1988 Olympic games, the national under 23 recorded a sound 4–0 victory over Italy. The FAZ Chairman, Bwalya netted thrice.

After the disaster, the nation seemed to have kept mourning forever. The air disaster became a noble excuse for lack of success. This was always highlighted despite the 1994 performance which was actually 'emotionalised' as the current victory. Zambia played their best football two years on and were ranked 15 in the FIFA rankings in 1996.

The current manager, Frenchman Herve Renard coached Chipolopolo a couple of years and left for Angola. Bwalya took the FAZ chair and ran after Renard, convincing the man to return to Lusaka. The two seemed to fit like hand and glove and their work ethic became a lubricate of the cog that Chipolopolo's game pivoted on. 

Zambia won the African Cup of Nations on Sunday as you may know by now, after the nerve wrecking  penalties 8-7 at Stade de l'Amitie, not because of the 1993 air disaster, Bwalya or Renard. Zambians, like Zimbabweans, are just talented. They had the ability to play football. What Bwalya did, was to make the environment conducive for players to play without worry. Renard prepared the team very well. The disaster brought in the psychological element of the game, but the players deserve it.

They played football, fought duels, won tackles and defended solidly and scored the goals. Chipolopolo technique matched or surpassed any other team. They played the final with an enjoyable spirit of stylish moves and trickery to wow the crowd. Their pace and attacking prowess would fool one as a passing phase to fade into thin air of the dark night.

The rest of the issues were extras that may not always help anyone. It is never a forgone conclusion that if a team dies the next generation will win the AFCON. Many African nations would kill their own. It is only football that wins matches. Not managers, not coaches, and not juju. Playing very well pays.

There is no guarantee that if Zimbabwe or South Africa buy and use Kalusha Bwalya, they will win the FIFA World Cup. Renard himself was assisted in Ghana and boss in Angola, but it had to be Zambia in 2012. Only when the game is played well in all facets, does it involve good fortune. 

Many would dwell on the 'what might have beens.' The Ivorians and their supporters, the nay sayers and the unschooled would tell you that the 70th minute penalty miss but Didier Drogba of Chelsea was the turning point. It would be logical to agree. On the night, Ivory Coast would have been awarded a dozen penalties, they would have lost that match. If 22 dropped from the sky, Zambian players would have two ball each and that is exactly what happened.

One would have to ignore the crucial second minute Boubacar Barry save that the Ivorians survived. If the Zambians played a non-African team, it would even make more sence that witchcraft would have moved the goal post in the 85th minute for the Chris Katongo strike to curve around the post into the net to seal the victory.

There would never be anything obvious and the value of the match would not be diluted by the obvious cases. It would never be special. The climax needed to be explosive. It became mega explosive. Many still nurse a headache from the tension of the match. I do and hopefully I will have a good night sleep sometime soon.

While Chipolopolo were relaxed and entertaining the crowd with their fancy footwork, they appeared determined to keep solid and they did that very well. It was a game they knew they could play, and they did. 

All the basics were spot on to the letter. The team never lost shape and there was no respect of persons. Teams squaring against Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kaloe, Didier Zakora, Koloe Toure and Gervinho among others would wet themselves in the morning. Real Madrid, Manchester, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Marsellie or Barcelona would have loose bowels. 

The basic value of the whole team surpassed that of Arsenal and the bottom half of the English Premier League teams combined. Zambia could be worth the Gunners' reserve team. Yaya Toure's weekly salary would feed the whole Chipolopolo team with their families for a year. 

Zambia contended with Ghana, themselves favourites, beat charging Sudan, thrushed and eliminated fancied Senegal and dispatched co-hosts, Equatorial Guinea. It was a very bumpy ride but the victory was sweeter.

When it comes to football, closing the right spaces and opening the necessary crevices as a collective, precise passing and ball reception skills and the correct mental frame of mind count for millions. 

Kalushya Bwalya knows the life of the players. He knows their salaries. We may never know their bonuses for the victory. They may get great contracts overseas. Bwalya and the government will reward them well. Very well.

Cometh the moment, cometh the Chipolopolo.