FOUR CLUB PRESEASON TOURNAMENT: A HINT INTO THE FUTURE

Last week, ZESCO United and Red Arrows officially announced a partnership to host a Four-Club preseason tournament as part of preparations for the 2022/23 football season.

Being the country’s envoys in the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup, Red Arrows and ZESCO United management have been working tirelessly to ensure that the two teams receive the best preparations ahead of the new campaign.

With no competitive friendly matches before the start of the Zambian Super League season on August 20, 2022, the two sides hastily hatched out a plan to organize a Four Club tournament.

The organizers quickly made several calls and invitations to clubs outside the country but none of the targeted teams confirmed their availability.

A change in strategy saw the two clubs settle for Green Eagles and Zanaco as the two other participants.

The tournament which was to be played between July 29 and August 1, 2022 would see each club play three games with the team with the highest number of points crowned champions.

This was music to the ears of Kelvin Kaindu, Aggrey Chiyengi, Mumamba Numba and Chisi Mbewe whose ambitions to dominate the Zambian game remain steadfast.

A total of nine games where on show and by the end of the competition, Red Arrows emerged Champions having won all their three games with the last being a 3-0 victory over ZESCO United.

Green Eagles emerged second having managed to collect 4 points from three games beating ZESCO United on goal difference.

ZESCO United on the other hand managed a third position having drawn 1 all with Eagles, before managing to beat Zanaco 2-0 in their second match.

Red Arrows and ZESCO United closed the competition with an explosive encounter which saw the current league champions canter away with a 3-0 victory.

Zanaco came out last recording three loses against all the other three participating teams.

WHAT WE LEARNT FROM THE FOUR CLUB TOURNAMENT

ZESCO United have been very active in the transfer window, making seven signings ahead of the new season.

Cyril Chibwe, Alfred Leku, Songa Chipyoka, Kezironi Kizito, Kelvin Kapumbu, Rodrick Kembo and Jack Ngulube have all been part of the club’s makeover process.

Out of the seven signed players only five participated in the Four Club preseason tournament with Chibwe and Kapumbu tied to National Team duties.

ZESCO United were also missing the services of Kelvin Kampamba, Spencer Sautu, Enock Sakala and Shemmy Mayembe due to National Team duties.

The absence of some of the club’s star players provided the best platform for the newcomers to showcase their skills in the United colours.

Newly recruited Ugandan striker Leku hit the ground running scoring his debut goal in the first match of the competition.

Leku looked menacingly dangerous whenever he was facing the Green Eagles defense with several of his shots on target either blocked by the defense or saved by the goalkeeper.

His off the ball movements and his ability to wade off defenders while bringing his teammates into play mesmerized a sizeable crowd that trooped to Nkoloma stadium.

Leku’s debut performance earned him a place in the second match against Zanaco coming on in the second half.

The Ugandan was once again on show unleashing two ferocious shots on target which were saved by the Bankers goalkeeper.

A new comer to the Zambian game, Leku showed promising glimpses of a promising partnership with Vincent Oburu and a perfect replacement for retired Winston Kalengo.

“It was an important game and goal for him especially that this was his first game. He has done very well, and I think he is somebody that we will rely on. We just need to encourage him,” ZESCO United Head Coach Mumamba Numba said.

Former Lusaka Dynamos and Shamuel Academy attacking midfielder Songa Chipyoka was another player hoping to impress on his debut.

With almost 30 minutes to the end of the ZESCO United vs Green Eagles match, Numba threw in the tricky winger.

In his prematch interview, Numba had hinted at a possible selection dilemma owing to the amount of talent among the young players.

Chipyoka proved mouthful for Eagles defenders who could not read his slalom moves from the wings.

The 18-year-old however showed his ability to not only dribble past defenses but also his knack to dispatch free-kicks with ease.

Zanaco were the first victims of Chipyoka’s precision goal scoring ability after he struck ZESCO United’s opening goal from a free-kick.

A combination of Chipyoka, Edward Lungu and Luwawa Kasoma will be a nightmare for any team.

Ugandan attacking midfielder, Kezironi Kizito was on show to prove why he is right the man to replace veteran Zimbabwean midfielder, Thabani Kamusoko.

Kizito showed his explosive mobility in the middle of the park and ability to defend when dispossessed off the ball.

The former Buildcon attacking midfielder played in both the opening and closing match of the tournament.

Kizito like all the newcomers will need to quickly adjust to Numba’s style of play and to bond with the rest of the squad.

Both Kembo and Ngulube played their part in the second and last game of the competition.

The two will also need to get their heads around the corners of the ZESCO United defense system.

ZESCO United U-20 goalkeeper, Levison Banda was perhaps the clubs promising and emerging talent from the Four Club tournament.

On Monday, Banda started in goal ahead of Gregory Sanjase and Ian Otieno making his debut against Red Arrows.

The young goalkeeper showed from the early stages of the game why Numba has co-opted him into the ZESCO United squad.

Despite conceding three goals, Banda pulled off excellent saves against an experienced Red Arrows striking force which was led by former Zambia National Team striker, James Chamanga.

Numba will be hoping that Banda’s debut game for the team will give him a leap faith and confidence as he continues to develop at the club.

Overall, the Four Club preseason Tournament turned out to be a success for both the organizers, players, coaches and fans.

With only two weeks to go before the start of the season, ZESCO United technical bench will be racing to tie all the loose-ends and hope to start the new league campaign on a high.

Author: Desmond Katongo