It is a case of use it or lose it. That is how Power Dynamos striker Francis Kombe greeted the news of his Zambia recall today after being named to Herve Renard’s 2008 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup squad.
The controversial striker returns for the first time since November 11 last year when he played in Zambia’s 1-0 away defeat to Tanzania in a friendly international.
“Am very pleased to be back,” Kombe said from Kitwe today. “I have just been given another chance to impress.
“I got to make sure I don’t disappoint because I don’t think I will get another chance like this again to play for Zambia.”
Kombe promising early international career stretching back to 2003 was blighted in 2005 by a 1-year dope ban after testing positive for marijuana while at disbanded South African club Silver Stars.
Kombe is currently the leagues top scorer on 8 goals.
He is set for his 8th cap when Zambia opens their Cosafa Cup campaign with a quarterfinal meeting against Zimbabwe in Secunda, Mpumalanga in South Africa on July 27.
The Power striker made his debut against Rwanda on March 24, 2003 away in a 3-0 victory when he scored his first and only senior goal to date for Zambia.
Meanwhile there is also another return to the fold this time for veteran defender Elijah Tana of Nchanga Rangers after his controversial axing from the final Africa Cup team for the Ghana tournament 7 months ago.
There is also another return to the Zambia team after 7 months for Angolan-based midfielder Ian Bakala since taking part at the Africa Cup finals in Ghana.
Also back in the team after half a year is ex-Under-23 defender Davies Nkausu of SuperSport United in South Africa after he failed to make the cut for the Africa Cup final squad in January.
Nkausu is one of two players from the defending South African league champions.
His club mate Noah Chivuta also returns to the team since playing in Zambia’s penalty shoot-out Cosafa Cup final loss to defending Cosafa Cup champions South Africa on October 24 last year in Bloemfontein.
Renard has also handed a debut call-up for the Green Eagles defender Kebby Hachipuka who is currently the subject of a transfer bid from Nkana.
Zambia Under-20 and Lusaka Dynamos goalkeeper William Chibale has also been handed a senior debut call-up.
However, Renard has decided to overlooked the popular Lusaka Dynamos duo of defender Hichani Himoonde who has a bereavement and fluid midfielder William Njovbu who is still recovering from injury.
There is also no place in the team for Power’s left-winger Kennedy Mudenda after impressing during Zambia’s last four 2009 CHAN qualifying games.
And goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene has been excused from action to give 2nd choice Kalililo Kakonje and Mike Poto of Green Buffaloes including Chibale a chance to stand up and be counted.
Zambia goes into camp on Monday in Lusaka under assistant coach George Lwandamina while Renard will join the team after July 20 when he returns from a brief holiday in France.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Kalililo Kakonje (Amazulu, South Africa), Mike Poto (Green Buffaloes), William Chibale (Lusaka Dynamos)
Defenders: Dennis Banda, Sydney Lombe (Both Green Buffaloes) Kampamba Chintu (Free State Stars, South Africa), William Chinyama, Nyambe Mulenga (Zesco United), Kebby Hachipuka (Green Eagles), Davies Nkausu (SuperSport United, South Africa), Elijah Tana (Nchanga Rangers), Billy Mwanza (Clubless), White Simwanza (Young Arrows)
Midfielders: Ian Bakala ( Primeiro de Agosto, Angola), Noah Chivuta (SuperSport United, South Africa), Francis Kasonde (Power Dynamos), Chikwanki Liyainga (Young Arrows),John Musukwa (Green Buffaloes) Lottie Phiri (Zesco United),
Strikers: Felix Sunzu (Avenir Sportif de La Marsa, Tunisia), Judge Mkandawire (Young Arrows), Given Singuluma (Bay United, South Africa)
Good luck boys, lets bring the cup home……..We need to start scoring and this is our chance. Time to tame the Zim Warriors.
That is good news. We can do with more veterans and introduce young ones bit by bit. Lets make sure that Mbesuma is tried too. Well done coach.
good luck boys.
Lwandamina plz try mbesuma this time. Let us not count him off completely. He is still a gud player more esp
On scoring.he scored 35 goals in SA, and he was a top scorer at maritimo. He has now recovered from the injury.
Kalililo Kakonje should learn to be serious this time around. If he doesnt, he should be dropped and give room to seroius players. He has allowed some careless goals in the past. Apart from that i wish the Chipolopolo boys all the best. Go Zambia go….
IS THIS THE GROUP WHERE THE LAST TEAM WILL BE SELECTED? THERE IS NO GOAL KEEPER THERE, WHERE IS MWEENE. THAT COMPETITION IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE, WE SHOULD USE THAT TO PREPARE FOR TOGO. KALILILO KAKONJE CAN NOT IN GOAL
IS THIS THE GROUP WHERE THE LAST TEAM WILL BE SELECTED? THERE IS NO GOAL KEEPER THERE, WHERE IS MWEENE. THAT COMPETITION IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE, WE SHOULD USE THAT TO PREPARE FOR TOGO. KALILILO KAKONJE CAN NOT BE IN GOAL
I dont see why the best goal keeper for the country has been left out.Why not keep him in the squad and allow others their chances.Does any one think other teams will do such favours to their opponents.We need to be serious if we need to keep rising on FIFA rankings.We need a team of the best local players for this tournament
BMK stop shouting please, use lower case letters.
Well done kombe, we need more competition upfront.
People can some one explain the meaning of ‘relishes’ in the context of ‘Kombe Relishes Return To Zambia Fold’. I’m having a big fight about it with a close friend.
#11 Google explains that;
1. To take keen or zestful pleasure in.
2. To enjoy the flavor of
3. To give spice or flavor to
Now it is up to you blogger to think what LT meant with the controversial striker returning for the first time since November 11 last year.Okay!
Can someone tell us the results 4the under 20.
guyz does anyone know the result for the under 20 game….
bane does anyone have the results for the U20 match?
Hey guys, who knows the results for under 20? Would you kindly share with me. I am keen to know.
abena Bwafya aka DIFFIKOTTI, ‘ve u ever heard of FIFA.COM??? if u r really keen on knowing ’em results then u should check it out plus many other sites….
#13,14,15,16,17 you are out of topic, *****S!it is time for dinner go and have your meals guys.It is not about football, i know you want to now about Besuma,he is a mother FAT….
The striking force is weak and seem inexperienced. We need the likes of the two Katongos and the Chamangas! Please lets forget about Mbesuma… He went to England, failed, hovered arround Europe and failed. Gosh I dont remmember the last he scored for Zambia!
Livingstone plz be mature. Dont insult your friends when they want to know the u20 results. We are talking about sports NOT insults. Regards.
Mbesuma is not finished. Just try him ku cosafa u will see it yourself.
iwe ka #18, don’t show ur to the whole world…..by the way its Mbesuma & not Besuma……
Thanks bro for your point of corrections on names, i just don’t like this guy, okay?
Please try William Chibale not Kalililo coz he allows silly goals. Nga abena Katongo ninshi mwabashila? What have they done? And why didn’t you recall Harry Milanzi as well coz we don’t have strikers at the moment? Come on ba Chicken mulecita advise the Coach bwino.
Francis Kombe will come to Finland and in to the Rops football club. We have allready here Zeddy Saileti, Chanda Mwaba, Nchimunya Mweetwa, Chileshe Chibwe, Stephen Kunda. They are good players!