Zebras Big Test For Zambia

An overhauled Zambia on Friday takes on hosts Botswana in Gaborone in a 2009 Cote d’Ivoire Caf Africa Nations Championship 1st round, 1st leg qualifier.

Only 7 players have survived a surprise overhaul announced by Faz’s technical committee last week after Zambia progressed from the preliminary round qualifying stage match following a 4-1 aggregate win over Swaziland.

The highlight of Faz’s dramatic changes to the Zambia team saw Lusaka Dynamos’ much prized defender Hichani Himoonde dropped together while the were two withdrawls another from this match.

Zesco United defender William Chinyama asked to be excused from duty due to personal reasons while Zanaco’s central defenders Eugene Shamakamba and Charles Siyingwa were not recalled.

Green Buffaloes demanded goalkeeper Mike Poto returned for club commitments.

The three defenders absence will give Kabwe Warriors defender Bronson Chama a chance to claim a place in the starting lineup after being in the sidelines while White Simwanza from Young Arrows is also set to make his Zambia debut.

Chambishi defender Sandia Zulu ends his 12 month absence from international duty under Peter Kaumba who was a regular starter at Under-23 following a recovery from an abdominal operation.

Whether Zambia’s new-look defence led by captain Clive Sichondwe who will be the most experienced defender coming into this match will hold firm away to Botswana will be an interesting prospect to witness on Friday.

The good news for Coach Peter Kaumba is he has influential playmaker William Njobvu from Dynamos available.

Njobvu is slowly looking regaining some form after complaining about suffering from burnout after playing non-stop for club and country stretching back to 2007.

Kaumba is also pleased with the return to his flock of his versatile Zanaco and Under-23 midfielder Stophira Sunzu who could play a holding role.

Sunzu could replace Power Dynamos Francis Kasonde whom Kaumba might be forced dropped to defence to help ease Zambia’s backline that has suddenly found itself short on big-stage mileage.

Upfront, exciting Power left-winger Kennedy Mudenda and Zanaco attacker Roger Kola will be key for the goals in the absence of Warriors striker Emmanuel Mayuka who returned on Wednesday from trials at Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

As Botswana lies in wait on Friday surely shocked by the charges to Zambia’s team, Kaumba badly needs his blend of experienced, new and not-so-new new boys to deliver or he will face the music for a squad he did not personally overhaul.

“We shall miss Mayuka as well as the other players who will not be here but the challenge has been handed to those that are in the team,” Kaumba said.