By Mubukwanu Kaingu
EX-Chipolopolo coach Sven Vandenbroeck believes Clatous Chama could have added some creativity to Zambia’s midfield after seeing them struggle in that department at the 2023 AFCON where the player was a peripheral figure.
Chama came in the last quarter of Chipolopolo’s last two 2023 AFCON Group F matches against Tanzania and Morocco at the ongoing tournament Ivory Coast is hosting from January 13 to February 11.
The midfielder from Tanzanian giants Simba SC was instrumental in Patson Daka’s 88th minute equaliser in Chipolopolo’s second match against The Taifa Stars that saw 10-man Zambia earn a 1-1 draw.
Vandenbroeck told ZNBC TV Sports in an interview on Saturday that different coaches have different philosophies about how to utilise players like Chama who he also coached at Simba.
“Maybe I wanted to see a little more of Chama in midfield but that’s my opinion,” Vandenbroeck said.
“I like the boy, I worked with him for more than two years and I think he can add a little bit more creativity in the game.”
Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant stuck by his regular choices Kings Kangwa and Emmanuel Banda who struggled although the former earned Zambia a point in their opening Group F match on January 17 with the game’s first goal in the 1-1 draw against DR Congo.
“But I understand the coach’s decision against Morocco and Congo who are stronger teams that he would like to have a midfield with a little more balance and defensively stronger.”
Chama has been a fulcrum in Simba’s domestic and continental campaigns during his two stints at the Dar es Salaam club between 2018 and to date.
The midfielder was a first-choice during the Belgian-born coach’s brief Chipolopolo reign between 2018 and 2019 featuring in four of his five matches in charge.
Meanwhile, Vandenbroeck said apart from Patson Daka’s obvious impact, he also singled out veteran defender Stoppila Sunzu, winger Lameck Banda and goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga as his stand-out players at 2023 AFCON.
“It’s good to see that Sunzu despite his age was still very present in defence. He was criticised most of the time but still did a good job,” Vandenbroeck said.
“Lameck, on the left side, maybe he was not always playing but you could see that he is a deadly player with something. He is active, dribbles and he is strong.
“I took the goalkeeper Lawrence as a third choice during my tenure and he is a first-choice. He is good with his feet, has good reflexes and I think he had a good tournament.”
