The January transfer window saw several Chipolopolo-capped players and emerging prospects change clubs. A few of those moves were well judged and timely, while others were harder to read.
Take Kennedy Musonda, for example. What do you make of a move from one second-tier club to another?
Here is my take on the winners and losers from the window. The list is not exhaustive, and a number of players may have been left out.
WINNERS
Jonathan Kalimina: Kafue Celtic to Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
Kalimina is the biggest winner of the January transfer market, completing a move to Red Bull Salzburg, effective once he turns 18.
Salzburg has a strong track record in identifying, developing and transitioning young talent into top European leagues.
Soon, Kalimina will walk the path of big names like Sadio Mané, Erling Haaland, and compatriots Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu. This one is Kalimina’s to lose!
Pascal Phiri: Zesco United to Pyramids FC (Egypt)
Zambians are often wary when a player moves to North Africa, as many compatriots who have taken that path in the past have struggled, or clubs there have failed to honour their agreements. As a result, many are uneasy about this deal.
But given the talent that Phiri possesses and the organisation at the club he has joined, I am backing him to stake his claim, making this transfer from Zesco United a win.
The Egyptian Premier League (EPL) is clearly more competitive than ours, and he is joining a club that operates with clear domestic and continental ambitions.
While minutes will need to be earned, the environment provides a platform for growth that would have been difficult to replicate at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Clatous Chama: Singida Big Black Stars to Simba SC (Tanzania)
Many will argue that there is little football left in Chama’s 34-year-old legs. Even so, securing a move to Simba SC makes him a winner in this transfer window.
It is a step forward from his previous club, which doesn’t know anything about challenging for titles or vying for international football like the Champions League or the Confederation Cup.
Chama is worshipped at Simba, and there is no doubt he will get the minutes, but the onus is on him to prove that he still has it
His third coming at Simba is logical and probably favours him more than it does the club.
Mwenya Chibwe: Zesco United to Orbit College (South Africa) – free agent
Mwenya Chibwe has had turbulent times lately, and his latest episode at Zesco United is one he doesn’t wish even on his worst enemy.
After mutually cutting ties with the Ndola side, the 11-time capped Chipolopolo goalkeeper has been offered a lifeline at Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Orbit College.
Orbit may not be a household name in South African football, but context is key here. For a player seeking to reset, the move makes sense.
Emmanuel Mwiinde: Al Salam (Oman) to Marumo Gallants (South Africa) – free agent
Is there a Zambian player who has earned more in signing-on fees than Mwiinde in his career? Perhaps Clifford Mulenga, well, that’s a story for another day.
Mwiinde was on the move again, and this is one I feel, for footballing reasons, makes sense.
Should he get enough game time in the PSL, good for him and for all of us maybe? The PSL offers intensity and a level of competition that can easily place a player back into the national conversation.
Granted, Gallants are not among the league’s leading sides, but the platform itself is significant as opposed to playing in Oman.
David Hamansanya: CD Leganés (Spain) to SK Artis Brno (Czech Republic) – loan
Hamansanya has signed a loan deal up to the end of the season in a move seen as one prioritising minutes over status. Remaining in Spain without regular football would have slowed development. That’s fair, if you ask me.
LOSERS
Disclaimer: No hard feelings here; this is just an opinion, guys.
Kennedy Musonda: Hapoel Ramat Gan to Nof Hagalil (Israel)
In the last Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Musonda was one of our most potent attacking weapons. It was disappointing to see him move to Israel’s second division in the first place, and even more so to watch him make a lateral move within the same league.
My only consolation is that this move lasts until May, so maybe something better is in the offing.
Joseph Sabobo Banda: Hapoel Be’er Sheva to FC Alashkert (Armenia)
What can we say about this move? In hindsight, it might make sense, Banda struggled to establish himself at Hapoel Be’er Sheva, and moving to Armenia could provide him with more regular game time.
However, his stock has been declining since he first moved abroad, and it is worrying that he is now heading to the appendix of European club football.
All the best to the players who have moved during this window. Ultimately, my hope is to see all of them succeed.
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