When the South African Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee suspended former Orlando Pirates midfielder Isaac Chansa for three months two years ago, many thought the Zambian would struggle to re-launch himself after the ban.
Chansa was punished for assaulting an assistant referee during a league match against Jomo Cosmos in December 2006.

But the ban was a blessing in disguise as the player, while serving the suspension, later ended up training with Swedish giants Helsingborgs IF during their pre-season tour of South Africa.

Helsingborgs IF, who were at the time coached by former Bafana Bafana trainer Stuart Baxter, were so impressed with Chansa, that they immediately snapped him up after his contract with Pirates expired by offering him a three-year deal which he happily signed.

Chansa is now rubbing shoulders with some of Europe’s elite as his team were last season Sweden’s representatives in the Uefa Cup until they were eliminated by Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

“Everything is fine with me. I am very happy with the way I have settled here,” Chansa told www.supersoccer.co.za.

“The most interesting thing is that I am a regular my club.

“From the seven games that we have played this season, I have only missed one due to a knock on my knee.

“Last Monday, we won our derby against Malmo, whom we beat 4-2. Now, this match can be compared to Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs, Zamalek against Al Ahly, Asante Kotoko against Hearts of Oak, Raja Casablanca against Wydad Casablanca and I created two goals and in the end was voted player-of-the match.”

Having spent three years in South Africa, Chansa knows the differences in the way the two countries approach their football.

“Football here is more technical and more physical. The pace is also very fast. It’s played at a high tempo all the time. It does not matter whether the team at the top is playing against the bottom team, the tempo is always high,” he says.

“The style of play here is more like in England; players don’t hold on to the ball for too long but there’s a lot of offensiveness.

Yet, despite his growing love for Swedish football, Chansa still has a special place in his heart for the Buccaneers back in South Africa.

He follows Pirates results, progress and their achievements on a daily basis via the internet.

“Sometimes, they (Pirates) have tended to struggle because quite a number of players have been promoted from the junior ranks,” he adds.

“But when you look at players like Teko Modise and Excellent Walaza, they have done exceptionally well even for the national team.”

On a personal level, the 24-year-old has set his sights on moving to a bigger club when his contract with Helsingborgs IF expires next December.

Chansa knows that the key to making a move from a club that boasts the likes of Swedish legend Henrik Larsson lies in hard work.

For the moment, he is enjoying himself and learning from every moment spent with Helsingborgs IF’s cult-hero Larsson.

“It’s nice being around him, he’s just renewed his contract for another season,” Chansa says of the ex-Barcelona and Manchester United star.

Like any other player, Chansa’s other ambition is to play in the 2010 World Cup finals to be staged in South Africa.

Despite his home country being grouped against 2006 World Cup finalists Togo in the qualifiers, he believes the Chipolopolo can shoot down the Hawks.

“I am ready to play anytime I am called to the national team because I strongly believe we can qualify for the World Cup,” Chansa said.

“I have a strong belief that we can beat Togo if we are well prepared because we have been together for a long time as a team.” -Supersport Zone