Roan United coach Satchmo Chakawa has urged Chipolopolo goalkeeper trainer Kennedy Mweene to be patient with national team goalkeepers as he searches for a long-term first-choice keeper.
Since Mweene’s retirement, Zambia has struggled to find a consistent number one, with several goalkeepers failing to firmly claim the position.
Chakawa, a former Green Eagles goalkeeper who once earned a Chipolopolo call-up, told Bolanews in an interview that settling on a first-choice goalkeeper often takes time.
“I have huge respect for him [Mweene]. He has achieved what he has because he worked hard for it, and he deserves all the recognition,” Chakawa said.
“The advice I can give him is to be patient with these goalkeepers. For the past 10 years, we haven’t had a settled first choice because expectations are too high. People tend to compare current goalkeepers to Kennedy, who has already retired. These players need an opportunity.”
Currently, Power Dynamos goalkeeper Willard Mwanza appears to be the frontrunner to claim the number one shirt, although he recently came under criticism following Zambia’s 5–0 loss to Argentina in an international friendly.
Chakawa, however, emphasised that mistakes are part of the game.
“I know they will make mistakes here and there, but that is part of the learning process. They have to be given a fair chance and a run of consecutive games. You cannot have a situation where a goalkeeper plays one game, then another months later; over two years, a goalkeeper might only play four matches, which makes it very difficult,” he said.
“They need to feel trusted. It shouldn’t feel like they are constantly being tried out.”
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