Yet another lackluster year.The outrage by fans on social media says it all.There was seldom to write home about Zambian football in 2015.

To understand,rewind the clock to January when the Chipolopolo boys were sent out of the Africa cup of the nations group stages for the second time
since winning it three years ago.

The 2012 AFCON Champions shared the spoils with Democratic Republic of Congo in the opening game before loosing 2-1 against Tunisia and drew the last game with Cape Verde to make an early exit.

HONOR JANZA’S DISMSAL AS CHIPOLOPOLO HEAD COACH.

After an embarrassing first round exit at AFCON 2015 in Eqtorial Guinea,Honor Janza’s reign as Chipolopolo guffer came to an end.He was replaced by Zesco United Coach Gorge Lwandamina.

CAF TOP AND SECOND TIER’S GROUP STAGE A WIDE RIDE FOR ZAMBIAN CLUBS.

With Nkana reaching the group stages in 2013,all ayes were on Zambia’s torch bearers in CAF Champions league and Confederation Cup to have a scalp.

An away loss to Sewe Sports on shootouts saw Zegamambo fail to book a berth in the third of the Champions league.

Power Dynamo’s 3-0 win over CF Mounana of Gabon in the 2nd leg was not enough to be unassailable the proceed to the third round of after loosing 4-0 away.

ZAMBIA BITE DUST AT COSAFA CUP 2015.

Zambia entered the 2015 Southern africa’s regional tournament as defending champions having won the trophy two years ago at home.

The four-time Cosafa Cup winners were humiliated by Namibia 4-3 on penalty shootouts.

SIMUKONDA FAILS TO GUIDE ZAMBIA U23s TO RIO 2016 OLYMPICS.

This year’s Under 23 Championship staged in Senegal served as a qualification to Rio 2016 Olympics.

Gold,silver and bronze winners at under U23 AFCON automatically booked their berths to the Olympics in Rio next year.

Zambia were first to go out of the tournament after suffering losses to Tunisia,Amagluglug and Senegal.

EYE CATCHING EVENTS OF THE YEAR.

1.Club licensing-It was a success! Zesco United and Zanaco met the 5 key yardsticks,striking 5 out 5 to receive the club licensing certificate which was assurance to play in the 2016 CAF Champions league and Confederation Cup.

2.Kalengo scoring 100th league goal-The 29-year old reached a century of Super league goals becoming the first player with this achievement in the past decade.

3.CHAN & maiden U23 AFCON qualifications-Forget about 2015 AFCON qualification,that’s normal.It’s not always Zambia qualifies to the Under-23 Championship.Since 2009,they has been no appearance of Zambia at CHAN.

4.Expansion of the league from 16-18 clubs-The 2016 season comes with more games to watch.Blackpool,Lusaka Tigers,Kabwe Warriors and Lumwana Radiant won promotion to the top tier.

5.Unleashing the inaugural Super league trophy-For the first time in the history league winners were handed a trophy.

6.Muvi TV beaming FAZ Division 1 Football-Muvi TV broadcasted Zambia’s second tier.

7.Bola Yapa Zed Show on SuperSport.

•PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Westone Kalengo.

•MATCH OF THE YEAR: Zesco United 5-3 Nkana Red Devils.

•GOAL OF THE SEASON: Ronald Kampaba’s goal against Tunisia at CAF U23 2015 AFCON.

•TOP SCORER OF THE YEAR: Westone Kalengo (25 goals,6 with the national team,18 league goals and one in CAF Champions league).

On behalf of soka25east.com crew,I say thank you for perusing our articles this year.See you next year!

James Sibeleki

African football writer, covering the game across the continent. Covered the U-20 Africa Cup of the Nations, in Zambia.