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In light of both teams playing this Wednesday
Though a lot has been said about the Nkana result from their CAF Confederations cup group C opener, there is need to look at how the two sides approached the encounter.
Three things were very cardinal in the match`s outcome.
Firstly Nkana conceded two goals in the first 45 minutes of the match and that was enough for Zesco to collect the three points.
1. Line ups:
Zesco: Dieudonne
Silwimba, Mwape, David Owino and Akumu Gay
Kondwani Mtonga and Aladeoku
John Chingandu, Jesse Were, Lazarous Kambole
Formation: 1-4-2-3-1
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Nkana: Kelvin Malunga,
Thole, Muhammad Musa, Richard Ocran and Festus Mbewe,
Shadreck Malambo
Kelvin Kampamba, Jacob Ngulube and Harrison Chisala.
Ronald Kampamba and Ramadhan
Formation: 1-4-1-3-2
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Looking: Nkana`s formation was too weak compared to Zesco. It was too open to force Zesco who had five men behind the ball than Nkana`s four. And this was leaving not so strong Shaderick Malambo exposed alone in the midfield against Chingandu.
Nkana`s line up lacked experience engaging only three players who have tasted continental football back in 2013 and these were Kelvin Kampamba, Ronald Kampamba and Festus Mbewe.
This created a weak link in Shaderick Malambo and Jacob Ngulube who are not so strong to match the highly experienced Kondwani Mtonga, Anthony Akumu, and John chingandu.
2. Tactical Approach:
Zesco united who have been playing continental football for the past five seasons have experience to approach these games with massive caution not to allow goals cheaply.
Coach George Lwandamina with his experience approached the game with a 4-5-1 formation deploying Kondwani Mtonga and Anthony Akumu in the middle as two holding midfielders and relying on John ching`andu, Jesse Were and Aladeoku on quick breaks to support the ever dangerous Lazarous Kambole upfront.
Nkana on the other hand, had to rely on not so experienced Shaderick Malambo as a lone holding midfielder to be supported by Jacob Ngulube, Harrison Chisala and Kelvin Kampamba to supply balls to Ronald Kampamba and Festus Mbewe upfront.
However, Nkana`s display was not planned as it seemed like the players were planted in positions which they did not understand the responsibilities because Zesco were too comfortable as they had no much pressure from Nkana side.
Zesco united were more tactical than Nkana who relied much on to overpower Zesco with their physical presence.
3. Substitutions
Nkana`s substitutions seem not to be planned. Coach beston chambeshi does not make those subs based on the situation of the game.
First he left Chisamba Lungu on standby and walter bwalya and Sutra Tshimenga on the bench. And opted to start with Jacob Ngulube and Shaderick Malambo.
Surprising enough he removed Kelvin Kampamba the player who has ability to supply crosses and supplement the midfield. In his stead Chambeshi introduced Shaderick Musonda, an outward winger whose form has failed to exceed than already observed.
Read Fossils: Shadreck’s Musonda’s Year
Kelvin`s statistics are far much better than any other player in the ZPL and the coach does not seem to know this.
On the side of the league champs Zesco`s substitutes were all made to go and close the game and hold on to the two goals and it paid off.
