Analysis: Zambia versus Germany

Zambia Under -20 team during training

The Junior Chipolopolo or Zambia Under -20 will this Wednesday, May 31, 2017 play Germany in the World Cup Second Round of 16 Nations at the Jeju stadium at 13:00hrs Zambian time.

Roy Manchishi in the article below looks into this game:
This will be a crunch match for Zambia. Coach Chambeshi remembers very well that it was Germany led by Klinsmann that knocked out Zambia from the 1988 Olympics Soccer Tournament . The Germany side have been to the U20 finals 10 times. They won the U20 world title in 1981 when Australia hosted the tournament.

During the Korea U 20 World Cup Group matches, Germany finished third in Group B behind Venezuela and Mexico. Germany lost 0-2 to Venezuela, drew 0-0 with Mexico in a match refereed by Jan Sikazwe. and their only win was their last match against Vanuatu who they beat 3-2 to make it as one of the third place finishers.

Strengths of the Germany Team: The players to watch are 19 year old forwards Fabian Reese and Emmanuel Iyoha, whilst the midfield Meastro is Malcolm Babu. Their German Coach 47 year old Guido Streichsbier has been with the Germany’s U-18 for over two years and took charge of the U-19s in March 2016. Streichsbier, a former Karlsruher SC and 1899 Hoffenheim striker never graced the Bundesliga as a player, but has made a name for himself as a coach, especially at youth level. Germany players like shooting from afar and Mangani Banda should be aware of their long range shots. They are good at inter play passes in the boxes and Sakala , Nyondo and Musonda should therefore be careful not to be reckless in their tackles in the box as this could lead to penalties.

Germany Weaknesses. The German defence is porous and Zambia’s fast inter play of passes at the wing can disorient the young German team. German Goalkeeper is suspect and long range shots and free kicks could be another avenue for Zambia to score an avalanche of goals.

Zambia Game Plan should be to finish the game in the first half, avoid yellow cards. The pressing game would disrupt the German rhythm. Zambia would be playing at their home base in Jeju under floodlights and should take solace in the fact that Mali knocked out Germany at the last U20 in 2015 during the Round of 16. In short the Germany should be dreading this encounter. We need to baptise the Germans with a 6-1 scoreline just like we did to Mali during the Afcon. As Innocent Kalaluka would put it, Germany akasanga baleteya.