The Chipolopolo Boys’ visit to Moscow turned into a horror show as Russia walloped them 5-0 at the VTB Arena on Tuesday. A Maksim Gkushenkov hat-trick and goals from Ilia Vakhania and Aleksey Batrakov condemned the Copper Bullets to their largest defeat since 2019.
BolaNews presents the ratings of Zambian players in their humiliating tussle against Sbornaya.
GOALKEEPER
Toaster Nsabata (4/10): Nsabata had a busy night in Moscow picking the ball out of the net. His sloppy distribution of the ball played Zambia right into Russia’s hands.
DEFENDERS
Benedict Chepeshi (3/10): He was sent to the cleaners on multiple occasions, with the hosts having a field day on his wing.
Gift Mphande (4/10): Despite an energetic start, a lack of communication and an ailing chemistry with Kabaso Chongo at the back eventually cost Mphande.
Kabaso Chongo (4/10): He made some vital defensive interventions in the penalty box but was overwhelmed by the Russian attack.
Kebson Kamanga (3/10): Kamanga was at sixes and sevens in defence and hardly contributed anything in attack.
MIDFIELDERS
Kelvin Kapumbu (3/10): A passenger in midfield for the most part, Kapumbu had a night to forget.
Miguel Chaiwa (4/10): Given his standards, Chaiwa was not that influential in the middle of the park. Below average performance.
Kings Kangwa (5/10): He made some explosive runs and won a couple of fouls against Russia, but couldn’t link up effectively with his fellow midfielders.
FORWARDS
Joseph Sabobo Banda (6/10): Zambia’s few moments of brilliance came from his nimble feet and creative edge. Arguably the only positive from Zambia especially in the first half.
Clatous Chama (2/10): Chama struggled out wide, being a shadow of the player who thrives in the middle of the park.
Kennedy Musonda (4/10): Musonda, like every other teammate of his, failed to register a single shot on target. He not make as he was isolated and did receive the ball much.
SUBSTITUTES
Edward Chilufya (4/10): Replacing Clatous Chama, Chilufya brought some pace upfront but did little to turn the game on its head. It was also a little too late.
Dominic Kanda (3/10): Another introduction that didn’t bear fruit for the Chipolopolo Boys. Russia’s confidence only grew as the game progressed.
Dominic Chanda and Songa Cipyoka (N/A): Some minutes in the tank for Chanda and Chipyoka.
COACH
Avram Grant (2/10): Despite Russia being the fancied side before kickoff, Avram Grant and his technical bench fell short in every department.
The Chipolopolo Boys had little to no control over the midfield and left too many gaps for the hosts to exploit. Grant also misplaced most of his players and seemed to have run out of ideas.
READ MORE: Russia thrash Zambia 5-0 in friendly, Grant bemoans lack of enough training
