Goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga Praised, Set to Retain Starting Position Against Tanzania

Goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga Praised, Set to Retain Starting Position Against Tanzania

Zambia’s goalkeeper, Lawrence Mulenga, has received praise for his performance in the opening Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and is expected to retain his starting position in the upcoming clash against Tanzania.

Coach Avram Grant faced the decision of choosing between three goalkeepers for Zambia’s AFCON campaign: Lawrence Mulenga, Francis Mwansa, and Toasta Nsabata. Despite the lack of regular playing time for all three keepers in their respective clubs, Mulenga got the nod for the starting position against DRC.

Mulenga‘s performance in the 1-1 draw against a formidable Congolese side included five crucial saves. Former Chipolopolo goalkeeper Kalililo Kakonje commended Mulenga for his debut performance at the AFCON tournament. Kakonje acknowledged Mulenga‘s efforts and expressed confidence in the technical bench’s ability to address any areas for improvement.

While Mulenga had some lapses, Kakonje believes that the experience gained in local and international games will contribute to his growth. Mulenga’s solid showing has earned him praise and likely secured his starting role for the upcoming match against Tanzania.

Kakonje also commented on the competitiveness of Group F, emphasizing that the group is still open with Zambia, Tanzania, and DR Congo each having distinct possibilities.

As Zambia faces Tanzania on Sunday, Kakonje urged the team to work hard for success, emphasizing the need to dig deep to secure a spot in the knockout stage of the tournament. The match against Tanzania is crucial for both teams as they seek valuable points to progress in the AFCON.