Dan Wagaluka ghost haunts Zanaco

Feb 10, 2010

WHEN Zambian Champions Zanaco wrapped up their first work-out at Nakawa yesterday, coach Wedson Nyirenda’s player briefing revolved around shutting out ‘URA FC’ star Dan Wagaluka.

By Fred Kaweesi

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Friday, Namboole, 4pm
URA FC v Zanaco


WHEN Zambian Champions Zanaco wrapped up their first work-out at Nakawa yesterday, coach Wedson Nyirenda’s player briefing revolved around shutting out ‘URA FC’ star Dan Wagaluka.

To Nyirenda, his side would have to neutralise the pocket-sized midfielder in tomorrow’s CAF Champions League first leg engagement at Namboole, to stand a chance of progressing to the first round.

The Zambian coach had after-all watched and appreciated the Cranes star’s attacking prowess, when he guided fellow Zambian giants ZESCO against the same opponents two years ago.

But minutes later, so obvious was Nyirenda’s relief on learning that the mercurial winger was no longer at URA.

“Are you sure he left? Where is he now? He caused us (ZESCO) problems the last time we played URA. He is so fast and difficult to defend. He was their playmaker, so let’s wait and see,” a jovial Nyirenda said at Nakawa’s Makerere University Business School ground.

“Two years is a long time in football. So much might have changed about the URA I faced then but the advantage is, there are particular aspects that never change in teams and that is what we will rely on to get the result we need,” he added.

ZESCO beat URA 2-0 in Kampala before settling for a goalless draw in Lusaka

Henry ‘Thierry’ Banda

Zanaco’s attacks will be led by electric winger Henry ‘Thierry’ Banda, who finished their last league season with eight goals.

Fast and powerful, Banda is an instinctive goal-poacher and can also run the channels or shoot from outside the box. He got the nickname ‘Thierry’ because of his name and pace.

Apart from Banda’s threat, Zanaco’s attacking game in the 4-3-3 formation churns around Thomas Nyirenda, known throughout Zambian football for his versatility and precious abilities of building play from a defensive position.

Nyirenda started in all Zambia’s matches in the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola. He missed the decisive penalty that helped the Nigeria Super Eagles overcome the Chipolopolo 5-4 on penalties in their quarterfinal game.

Nyirenda, and the devastating abilities of 6ft team captain Charles Siyingwa from set-pieces, is what URA will have to avoid.

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