MUTALE CALLS FOR CHIPOLOPOLO REVIVAL

MUTALE CALLS FOR CHIPOLOPOLO REVIVAL

…national team needs to reclaim its position on the continent and global level says Zambia national soccer team striker Joshua Mutale

By Cecilia Nayame

I WANT to see the Zambia national team reclaim its position on the continent and the World just like it used to be during the time of midfielder Rainford Kalaba and former captain Christopher Katongo, Chipolopolo striker Joshua ‘Buddo’ Mutale has said.

And Mutale has advised MTN Super Division League Champions Power Dynamos not to rely on local players ahead of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League starting next month.

Speaking when he featured on the Authoritative Savenda Sports Programme on ZNBC’s Radio 4, a live phone-in yesterday, Mutale who plies his trade at Tanzanian giants Simba, said was ready to help the Chipolopolo reclaim its top position in African football.

He said a call up to the national team was not by mistake.

Mutale is part of the 25-member provisional squad that Coach Avram Grant has assembled ahead of two FIFA international friendly matches against Sudan and Tunisia.

The matches will be played on June 6 and June 10, 2025 in Morocco respectively.

“It’s a great opportunity coming to the national team because I know that I want to contribute to the best of my knowledge and help the team get back to where it belongs,” Mutale said.

He said the Chipolopolo had struggled to regain its form after winning the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“In these past years, the team has really struggled. The likes of Rainford Kalaba and Christopher Katongo worked so hard to lift the Zambian flag high, a thing we have recently failed to do.

“They raised the standards of Zambian football very high and come today, we are not able to see that. We want to return to where the team used to be…dominating football at the international level,” he said.

The former Power Dynamos striker also said the friendly matches against Sudan and Tunisia would help the team prepare adequately for World Cup qualifiers set for September.

“The games are good preparations the fact that we are having World Cup qualifiers in September among other international competitions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mutale has urged Power Dynamos to sacrifice a little and consider buying new players ahead of the CAF Champions League.

He said it was important to go for players who would help the team to compete favourably throughout the competition.

“They need to buy big players if they are to compete favourably in the CAF Champions League because it’s not easy. Yes, they may consider locally based players but they need to weigh the tournament also if they are to consider those plays in Division One (National Division One League),” he said.

Mutale said CAF Champions League attracted big and competitive teams on the continent.

“The competition is not easy…this is the stage where they will be meeting teams like Al Ahly, Sundowns, Simba and Yanga among others.

“So they need players that are capable of conquering the pressure that comes with the competition. Players who understand the competition so that they can as well prepare both physically and emotionally on what to expect as they begin that journey,” he said.

Mutale also expressed disappointment with his team’s failure to win the CAF Confederations Cup after losing to RS Berkane of Morocco in the finals last weekend.

Despite his side’s failure to win the trophy, Mutale was voted player- of -the match after contributing a goal in a match which ended 3-1 on aggregate in favour of the Moroccan side.