By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (September 2^nd 2021)

Quicksilver Fix

Last season Nkana, the defending champions, faced the humiliation of relegation. Having all but chased him out of the club, Kalampa turned back to Quicksilver, Beston Chambeshi. He guided Nkana to safety – just.

Meanwhile, a poor performance at the (Council of Southern African Football Associations) COSAFA Cup cost Serbian tactician Milutin (Micho) Sredojević his job. Unlike some Micho was aware of the contributions of players in Zambia’s past and embraced them – Emmy Musonda was one.

Micho has returned to coach the Cranes (Uganda) a team he led with distinction previously. Accused of not knowing his best team during his stay with Zambia, Micho never (or rarely) had his best team available to him.

Clubs and Country

Chambeshi faces similar challenges in yet another clubs versus country furore. The FIFA window must protect national teams especially with qualification for the World Cup at stake – the last window was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The same problem has surfaced again. The English Premier League unanimously voted to refuse to release players due to the British government’s red listed countries, which requires quarantining for ten days upon return.

That would result in further matches for their clubs being missed. Among the players affected is Egypt’s captain, Mohamed Salah. Several clubs have refused to release players – Brasil is badly affected and threatening to report the clubs, forcing a ban on the players representing their clubs after the international break, but the clubs would get their players back sooner by suffering this rather than the quarantining.

Issues

Chambeshi faces different issues. His European-based players have arrived in Nouakchott for tomorrow’s crucial opener against Mauritania. He is missing only one player. (Timothy) Fashion Sakala was released to the Chipolopolo by his new club Rangers, but the player chose not to risk aggravating a shoulder injury. He is the only notable absentee for tomorrow’s match against Mauritania.

Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu, fresh from their transfers from Red Bull Salzburg to Leicester City and Brighton and Hove Albion respectively, are in Mauritania. The latest British red list includes Zambia. The next match against top-seeds, Tunisia, is due to be played at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. As Zambia is on Britain’s red list, it remains unclear if Daka and Mwepu will travel to Zambia or back to their clubs after playing against Mauritania.

As the World Cup is the most important tournament in international football and the opportunities for African teams are restricted it is important that countries can select their best players. That is not happening.

Classy

Chambeshi had a distinguished playing career, especially with Nkana. He also played for Zambia with distinction. As soon as he was made aware of the potential to help former players through NHIMA (the National Health Insurance Management Authority) he was keen to help.

He wants all former players who are eligible (over 65) to register, get their needs assessed and receive free healthcare for the rest of their lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQzdYuNm4Ng – Beston (Quicksilver) Chambeshi appeals to all Zambian footballers over 65 to register on NHIMA for free healthcare for the rest of their lives. This is available to all Zambian citizens over 65 years old.