Rainford Kalaba have been ruled out of Fridays Caf Africa Nations championship (CHAN) qualifier against hosts Botswana in Gaborone.
Zambia coach Peter Kaumba said Kalaba had failed to report for training camp in Lusaka two days into the team’s build-up its CHAN 1st round away, 1st leg match against the Zebras.
“I am in the dark over him (Kalaba),” Kaumba said at Woodlands stadium late Tuesday afternoon after Zambia beat Green Buffaloes 2-1 in a training match at the same venue. “Yes he has been dropped.”
Kalaba has failed to arrive in camp despite the presence of his Zesco United club mates Enoch Sakala, Lottie Phiri and Signs Chibambo who all joined he team on Sunday.
The Zesco midfielder is one of 13 new players called up for the first time for Zambia’s CHAN qualifiers.
Meanwhile another Zesco player this time William Chinyama has been released from camp due to a family commitment.
Chinyama featured prominently in Zambia’s preliminary round return leg match against Swaziland that Kaumba’s team won 3-0 to qualify to the 2nd round 4-1 o aggregate.
An in today’s training game, Zambia beat Buffaloes 2-1 thanks t a brace from Enoch Sakala.
The team leaves for Botswana on Thursday morning instead of today Wednesday as earlier scheduled.
Kaumba said the final 18-man team will be named Wednesday evening after the team’s final training session at Lusaka Club.
Friday’s 1st round CHAN 1st leg mach will be played in Gaborone at the National Stadium in a 15:00 kickoff.
Labour Day Football Fixtures
FAZ PREMIER LEAGUE
WEEK 3
01/05/2008
Zesco United- Chambishi
Green Buffaloes- Kabwe Warriors
Green Eagles- Roan United
Nkana- Nchanga Rangers
Nkwazi- Young Arrows
Red Arrows- City of Lusaka
Zanaco- Lusaka Dynamos
WEEK 18
Power Dynamos- Konkola Blades
FAZ DIVISION ONE
01/05/2008
NORTH
Prisons Leopards- Kitwe United
Mining Rangers- Ndola United
Kalewa- Chindwin
Mufulira Blackpool- Medical Stars
Lime Hotspurs- Mufulira Wanderers
Indeni- Forest Rangers
Zamtel – Tazara Express
Muchindu – Afrisports
SOUTH
Lusaka Celtic- Kalomo Jetters
Livingstone Pirates- Chilanga Heroes
Young Green Eagles -Lusaka Tigers
Lusaka City Council – Profund Warriors
National Assembly- Zamcoal Diggers
Kambuku – Riflemen
Young Buffaloes- Petauke United
Builders Brigade- Nakambala Leopards
Mazabuka United- Nampundwe
young man,don’t think you are clever!play it safe and be serious with your career.you might lose grip in the next 2 years.
lIKE EMMANUEL ZULU.TEFYO??
kAUMBA IS A VARY BAD COACH HE DROPPED THOSE BIYS 4 THE OLYMPIC QUALIFIES BECAUSE HE WANTED NCHEKELEKO.
Kalaba is not eligible to play in this tournament cos he has signed a contract already with Fc Braga.Thats the reason he has not reported top camp.Lets not be quick to judge the young man.Yes he has a bad reputation but lets give him a benefit of doubt.
we need to find out how much of the contributions reach the intended.how about census or billboard advertisments to encourage patronage to the web site as a way of disemination and enlightment of the public. we need more than ever feed back guys on our contributions
Kalaba was last week declared eligible by VP Munaile. He is just loafing, I am very disappointed in the boy. He showed so much promise.
He does not want to play so dont force him. Let him enjoy his contract fee.
thats why zambian soccer players fail,you sign a contract which may not even be void,then all of a sudden the zambian national soccer team is not good enough for you to play.I give this boy a year and he will be back in zambia looking for a club to play for,and the dumbest coach will want to sign him
Total indiscipline.
I second you # 1.
he has already shown signs of lack of ambition and discpline. OI predict failure unless he changes his mindset. I told you about Mbesuma, and my words have come to pass.
Katongo Chris is the best professional we have so far.
Stop demonising the young man. The boy is just protecting his legs. You know he started this season with an injury and that probably delayed his clinching of a professional deal. He does not want to move to Braga ‘on an injured list’. We all know how being injured can affect a player when moving to a new club (Ask Mbesuma). Whoever adviced Kalaba not to risk injury at this time (probably Braga did) was only looking out for the palyer’s interest. I would do the same if I was in his shoes.
do not speculate.