Double Champions Red Arrows Beaten 5-0 By Al Hilal-CECAFA
Red Arrows started their CECAFA journey on a positive note, collecting maximum points after defeating Kenyan Champions Gor Mahia FC by a goal to nil. The decisive goal was scored by veteran striker James Chamanga, who came on as a substitute and tapped in a rebound in the 76th minute, securing the win for the Zambian side.
However, instead of solely focusing on their next match, the Red Arrows technical bench decided to include pre-season preparations during their two-day break from the tournament. They utilized the beach sand environment for endurance sessions, which was pre-planned to maximize resources. This strategy may have backfired, as the players did not fully recover and had to prepare for their next match with added fatigue.
Al Hilal, a team from Sudan, had not seen much match action due to the political situation in their country. Since March, they had only played one game on June 25th, where they beat Al Wadi 7-1, and before that, they lost 1-0 to Esperance. Despite their limited match practice, they looked fitter than the Red Arrows players, who had been in camp and on national duty.
The need for more financial investment in Zambian teams is evident. Increased player paychecks and attracting quality players to the league, especially for teams participating in continental competitions, would enable them to compete more favorably. Teams like Simba SC have heavily invested in their squads, and this investment has been reflected in their domestic and continental performances.
The winners of the Dar Port Kagame Cup will pocket US$30,000, with the runner-up taking US$20,000 and the third-placed team US$10,000. Given these stakes, it would have been prudent for the Red Arrows to prioritize winning the tournament. However, the technical bench chose to experiment by giving game time to other players like third-choice goalkeeper Jeban Temba, Cedrick Onyumbe, and K.K Mbuyi. These players have been given opportunities to prove themselves, but the results have been inconsistent.
Red Arrows conceded early in the 9th minute when Al Hilal’s Adama Coulibaly put the Sudanese team ahead. Things went from bad to worse for the Zambian champions as they struggled to recover.
In my opinion, it’s better to focus on the CECAFA prize money rather than preparing for the CAF Champions League, whose outcomes are more uncertain. By aiming to win the CECAFA tournament, Red Arrows could build momentum and confidence for future competitions. On Tuesday, Red Arrows play their last group game against Djibouti Telecom FC. I expect the coach to field a strong squad to give a clear picture of the team’s current standing and what needs to be improved moving forward.
Group B Table After Match Two
Al Hilal: P2 W2 D0 L0 P6
Red Arrows: P2 W1 D0 L1 P3
Djibouti Telecom: P2 W0 D1 L1 P1
Gor Mahia: P2 W0 D1 L1 P1
Red Arrows will play Djibouti Telecom FC on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the KSM Stadium.
Bola Yapa Zed Analysis
By: Coach Enock Phiri
