Kennedy Mweene Displeased with Zambia’s Defensive Tactics in AFCON Draw Against DR Congo
Zambia’s veteran goalkeeper and 2012 AFCON winner, Kennedy Mweene, has expressed his discontent with the defensive strategy employed by the Chipolopolo in their opening Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mweene, who shared his thoughts on Supersport after the game, criticized Zambia’s defensive line for being too deep, emphasizing that they remained too passive and stationed in front of the goalkeeper for the entire match.
In particular, Mweene questioned the decision to play with a three-man backline, expressing surprise at seeing Thandie Mwape in an unfamiliar right-back role. He pointed out the lack of offensive contribution from the defense, with only Rodrick Kabwe actively involved in attacking play. The former Chipolopolo goalkeeper also voiced concerns about the team’s inability to control the game and capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities.
Despite his critique, Mweene commended Lawrence Mulenga for his impressive goalkeeping performance, highlighting the young goalkeeper’s crucial saves that kept Zambia competitive in the match.
Looking forward, Mweene stressed the importance of the team working on cohesion, positioning, and finishing, emphasizing that improvement in these areas is crucial for success in the upcoming group stage matches against Tanzania and Morocco.
The upcoming match against Tanzania holds significant importance for Zambia’s AFCON campaign, and Mweene emphasized the need for the team to address specific areas. With two more group stage games ahead, the Chipolopolo have an opportunity to refine their strategy and secure positive results, aiming to progress further in the tournament.
