Name: Willie Phiri




Country: Zambia
Club: Nchanga Rangers
Position: *AMF, SS, DMF, CMF
Side: RF/BS
Age: 21-27 years (03/06/1953)

Height: 171 cm *
Weight: 71 kg *


Attack: 77
Defence: 56
Balance: 73
Stamina: 80
Top Speed: 78
Acceleration: 79
Response: 70
Agility: 79
Dribble Accuracy: 83
Dribble Speed: 79
Short Pass Accuracy: 80
Short Pass Speed: 78
Long Pass Accuracy: 75
Long Pass Speed: 76
Shot Accuracy: 75
Shot Power: 77
Shot Technique: 81
Free Kick Accuracy: 69
Curling: 87
Header: 63
Jump: 67
Technique: 79
Aggression: 77
Mentality: 82
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 81

Injury Tolerance: B
Condition: 5
Weak Foot Accuracy: 5
Weak Foot Frequency: 5
Consistency: 5
Growth type: Early/Peak

CARDS:
P05 - Mazing Run
P15 - Free Roaming
S02 - Passer
S06 - Outside Curve

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Dribbling - Tactical Dribble - Passing - Outside

Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Balanced


INFO:
Phiri was an attacking midfielder or secondary striker who could also play as defensive or central midfielder. He spent his entire career at Nchanga Rangers from 1969 to 1983. He capped for Zambia at least 23 times from 1973 to 1980, scoring not less than 5 goals. He took part to the 1974 and 1978 African Cup of Nations.
Phiri was considered a magician on the field as his figure and style of play were majestic. He used to play different roles with Nchanga Rangers and Zambia but he was always effective.
With his club, he used to stride through midfield and attack with a calm accuracy that devastated the opposing teams. His high level of composure, good ball control and dribbling mastery enabled him to keep his head while roaming, twisting and turning past defenders who were in panic and disarray. Phiri was the ideal second striker, deadly when he had a scoring chance in the box, equally efficient at falling back into deep positions to support wingers with defence-splitting passes. In addition, he had the uncanny ability to bend the ball to follow his demands. The term "banana-shot" was often used for this reason. He apparently scored several times from direct corner kick. Whenever he was in possession of the ball, fans of both teams chanted "Willie!", appreciating his composed attitude. Phiri's leadership and dominance in the field were crucial and inspiring in Nchanga Rangers first ever title win in 1980.
While he was mainly offensive with his club, he played as an old-school n°6 with Zambia national team. In this role, he proved himself important during the 1974 and 1978 Africa Cup of Nations. Deployed in a much deeper position in front of the defensive line, Phiri was the man who would start the attack from the back by moving the ball quickly and sending it forward. So, even though he had to play in a more defensive minded role, he took it with confidence.