“Juggle The Ball So That You Can Master Ball Control” – Charles Musonda
Former Zambian international Charles Musonda has revealed why he enjoyed a ball-juggling session.
Fondly referred to as Charly Cool, Musonda is regarded as one of the most talented midfielders that Zambia has produced.
He spent most of his time in Belgium, where he played for Cercle Brugge and Anderlecht after breaking through at Mufulira Wanderers.
He donned the national team colours between 1988 and 1993.
Musonda states that juggling the ball helps a player develop ball-keeping skills.
He adds that it’s also a skill which young players can use to improve their vision in football.
“I loved it when the coach would say one ball each. Make any movement with the ball: simple exercises that make a player understand how to keep away from defenders while moving with the ball and changing direction. Do not focus on the ball; look up towards where you’re going. It’s a simple way for youngsters to improve on vision while separating themselves from opponents,” Musonda said in a Facebook post.
The former international further discloses that running while juggling the ball is one way of improving a player’s ability to trap a bouncing ball.
“Running while juggling is important too; it helps a player to focus more on how to trap the bouncing ball. Running while juggling the ball from one goalpost to the other and back was my favourite. My stereo was perfectly safe; keeping my distance from it was my objective,” he recalled.
“I have seen ball jugglers in Zambian football, but I can only recall Nyembo Mwamba from Zaire (DR Congo). Whoever remembers this player at Shinde will attest.”
