CHIBWE: IT’S MY TURN TO HELP THE TEAM

South African born, Zambian international goalkeeper Cyril Chibwe is thrilled after making his second appearance in the Zambian Super League.

Chibwe who signed for ZESCO United in July this year hasn’t seen any action since making his move from the lucrative South African Premier League to the Zambian league.

The Zambian international shot stoppers absence between the sticks is largely owed to the quality of talent in the ZESCO United’s goalkeeping department.

Kenyan international shot stopper Ian Otieno has been the club’s first choice goalkeeper with Gregory Sanjase a constant deputy, dashing Chibwe’s hopes of commanding the ZESCO United goalpost.

Unfazed by the lack of action, Chibwe has been waiting in the wings hoping for an opportunity to present itself.

“It is not easy as a goalkeeper because you have to adapt to your current situation and environment. I have been working hard in the background and putting in my best every time I am in training. Our goalkeeper coach, Jacob Banda has been very helpful too.

“Frustrations were there especially when you don’t play for some time, but I knew it was going to be just a matter of time for me to play. I didn’t want to let frustrations get the best out of me because I knew how that was going to affect my confidence,” Chibwe said.

The former Polokwane City shot stopper’s debut for ZESCO United came against the leagues newly promoted side FC MUZA.

With Otieno absent, Chibwe was the man anointed to deputise second choice goalkeeper Gregory Sanjase.

Sanjase’s time in the game however came to an abrupt end in the 80’ minute after FAZ referee Milton Mweemba sent off the former Young Green Eagles shot stopper after he was judged to have handled the ball outside the penalty box.

“I didn’t even expect it. Every time its 80 minutes, I would know that they will either put a striker or defender to help the team. I was very relaxed on the bench because I didn’t expect any changes between the sticks.

“When the whole incident happened and looking at the way the referee spoke to the fourth official, I knew he was going to give a red card. I quickly started warming up even before the red card was issued,” he recalls.

Sanjase’s sending off meant that Chibwe was the man to take up the throne in the following match against Kabwe Warriors.

“It is a healthy competition because no one needs to slip up. If one slips up then the other gets an opportunity. Otieno started very well, Gregory started very well too and now it’s my time to grab this opportunity with both hands. It is not easy going backwards again because of the quality of goalkeepers we have in this department. Its massive competition.”

Prior to last Saturday’s game against Magnificent Kabwe Warriors, ZESCO United had been victims of conceding early goals.

Without either Sanjase or Otieno, Chibwe who was deputized by Zambia U-20 National Team goalkeeper Levison Banda had a huge task of ensuring that ZESCO United kept a clean sheet.

“I won’ t lie, I was nervous. I haven’t played football in a long time and this is Zambia where there was a lot of talk so it was up to me to redeem myself. I had to push as much I could. Everything just happened and I had to help the team as much as I could. The defenders were also very helpful especially that it was my first full game,” Chibwe said.

The former Baroka FC goalkeeper was the man of the moment after making heroic saves which ensured that ZESCO United kept a clean sheet, winning the Man of the Match award in the process.

“Let me start by saying that we have been conceding early in the past three matches. Coach JB and I spoke about what we could do best to change the situation as a goalkeeping department. I knew when the referee blew for halftime that my job was to secure the second half too,” Chibwe said.

Elated by his first full match appearance, Chibwe was a man still puzzled with the intensity of the Zambian game.

“To be honest again, this is totally different from what I had in mind when I came here. It is the intensity of the game. The tempo kept on increasing from the 60’ minute to the 90’ minute. You need to be very fit to keep up with this momentum.

There was also an amazing crowd, something that you hardly see in other leagues. The stadium was full. It justifies why its one of the best leagues in Africa because you also get to see very talented players out here.”

Author: Desmond Katongo