Fans counsel Micho over Chipolopolo performance

MATHEWS NDANDULA writes@SunZambianFOOTBALL fans have reacted to the Zambia national soccer team’s current performance adding that coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic should swallow his pride and improve in the area of player selection – particulalrly by considering experienced players as part of the squad.Football analyst Bwezani Mbewe said the remaining AfCON qualifier games against Algeria and Zimbabwe are crucial as aloo out wins are needed for Zambia to keep the dream of lifting another Africa cup of nations Cup is to be realised.“For me we need Mwenya Chibwe in goal – we need the likes of Nathan Sinkala, the coach must just swallow his pride looking at how we played we can’t win the remaining games,” he said.“No matter what the player did, in times like this I feel Clatus Chota Chama is needed so that he can partner with Enoch Mwepu because I believe by that time Patson Daka will be available,” said Bwezani.He adds that it’s possible for Zambia to beat Algeria at home but it will be tough away to Zimbabwe hence the need to bring in seasoned players.Chrispin Malata, who is also Zanaco football club supporters’ chairman, has added that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and Government have done their work in supporting the team and results are vital to the fans.“We need experienced players in Micho’s squad the likes of Rainford Kalaba, Stoppila Sunzu, Nathan Sinkala among other players who are actively playing at their various clubs,” Malata said.“We have been talking about this but it’s like Micho doesn’t want to learn from mistakes. Clatus Chota Chama – those are some of the players that can help our team play well. As much as he has identified his best players but we call for foreign-based experienced players otherwise we are not going anywhere.“When you look at the game we lost to Botswana it’s surprising how and what our defenders were doing about four of them plus the goal keeper against one player from Botswana and he penetrated something that we could have not allowed,” said Malata.“It’s now tough for us to beat Algeria and Zimbabwe with the squad we are seeing if no changes will be made people wants Chipolopolo to be at the AfCON so Micho and his players needs to do something.“And those who are attacking the current FAZ president for that loss in Botswana, should stop that. It was not Kamanga who was playing, it was the players.”Malata adds that he believes the FAZ executive had tried their best by giving the team enough international friendlies before the AfCON games and that Government through the Minister of Sports had also shown love and support to the team.He has said the ball is in the hands of the players and the technical bench to put smiles on fans’ faces.