Preview: Zambia Face Taifa Stars

Zambia face Tanzania in a friendly game on Saturday at the National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam in what will be the African champions final game for 2012.

The friendly will also be the first of four warm-up games Zambia is playing ahead of their title defence in South Africa next month with three more to follow in January.

Meanwhile, Saturdays friendly will see all South African-based players including Kennedy Mweene and Collins Mbesuma excused due to their final club commitments for 2012 last Tuesday and Wednesday.

However, Christopher Katongo, Isaac Chansa and James Chamanga are expected t headline the friendly.

“The target is today we are about 60 percent of Chipolopolo and 40 percent of local player’s young players,” assistant coach Patrice Beaumelle said.

“So it (The Tanzania friendly) is to give the opportunity to young players.

“It is good to see them do not forget that last year that a player like Nathan Sinkala and he made all the games for the Africa Cup it is important for the technical bench to give all the players a chance.

“At the end of the day we have to build the best team and prepare to defend the title.”

Meanwhile, one of the players hoping to impress include Power Dynamos midfielder and 2012 Zambia player of the year Mukuka Mulenga.

Mulenga has already received one cap on December 5 in a 2-1 away loss in a friendly against Saudi Arabia.

And in Mweene’s absence, NAPSA Stars goalkeeper Kalililo Kakonje is back in the team after injury and time on the sidelines but will have competition from Red Arrows keeper Daniel Munyau and Joshua Titima of Power.

Meanwhile, the meeting will be the two sides first since November 27, 2010 when Zambia beat Tanzania 1-0 in a CECAFA Cup Group A opener at the same venue under ex-coach Dario Bonetti.