Zambia on Tuesday resumed training camp in Ndola ahead of this weekend’s 2014 CHAN qualifier against Botswana.
The two sides clash in a first round, return leg qualifier on August 3 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium tied at 1-1 from the first leg played on July 27 July 27 at Molepolole.
The squad included four new call-ups while suspended winger Alex Ngonga has continued to train with the team after he was set off over the weekend in the 56th minute of that first leg CHAN qualifier against Botswana.
Coach Herve Renard has summoned the Nchanga Rangers duo of striker Nawa Nawa and defender Frank Chibuye.
Nawa gets his first call-up after scoring a brace on his Rangers debut in a 2-1 away league win over Zesco United on July 27 in Ndola.
Renard has also called up Zesco defender Bernard Mapili and Nkana attacking midfielder Kelvin Bwalya.
All four players were part of the teams’ first training session at Levy on Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Red Arrows winger Bruce Musakanya who sat-out last Saturdays’ 1-1 draw against Botswana joined his team mates in training following his recent recovery from a hamstring injury.
Zambia need just a draw in the home leg match to advance to the final qualifying stage where they will face either Zimbabwe or Mauritius for a place in January’s CHAN tournament in South Africa.
Zimbabwe leads Mauritius 3-0 first leg ahead of Sundays decider to be played at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.
Go Chipolopolo go. We are behind you.
Another KALAMPA player drafted in. It’s a revolution
..useless coach for you all.
Its Zambia vs Zimbabwe again
Imwe fi lusaka times,you should employ sports journalists.you are saying zambia just needs a draw to qualify,suppose we draw 2-2 or 3-3 are you saying we will still qualify?the answer is a big no.what we need is win or a scoreless draw only.thats why you are always fighting with nkana fans.
@kwa kanyama- thanks for correcting these sports writers who dont know sports rules. If they can’t employ let them consult
Busy calling defenders when Bronson Chama and “cool” Muntali have stood tall and compact in defense… All we need are strikers for now and probably good midfielders like Kennedy Mudenda who is always snubbed. Winston Kalengo was a better option upfront…
Good luck though!
@Ex ZIT. U are right. I dont think Nawa can measure up to Kalengo or Kampamba. Granted he is a promising talent but his performance at Kalulushi was not inspiring enough for a National team call up.
@ Ex Zit,
You are spot on. Iam persuaded to believe that even the inclusion of Festus and Bornwell is based purely on where their teams lie on the log and not there performance. There are still plenty of players out there who can do a lot better than the duo. If, in this particular instance, Nawa Nawa was picked based on the last game and to be precise on the two goals he scored then I would recommend my son who scored over ten goals playing chimpombwa behind my house over the week end.
The point is if merit was the criteria, Kennedy Mudenda and Kalengo would be in camp today. Well, its few days before the zebras come to graze in Levy Mwanawasa stadium and two unanswered bullets will do for them.
Winston Kalengo is tired legs naimwe. Even though I do not support HR’s tactics some of the players you suggest for him are national material but pa local ni shining. Where is Thomas Nyirenda formerly of Konkola Blades but later went to play for Power 90 last year.The last time I heard of him was when Power played TP Mazembe at Arthur Walter Davis stadium.Please let HR assemble a team comprising of the under 20 & 23 guys that will take over from the tired legs of the current team of the Katongos.Chansas,Mbesumas etc. Can’t we see what Ghana,Nigeria and South Africa are doing?These lads should be ready to compete at the 2015 Orange Senior Africa Cup and 2018 World Cup. Let FAZ concentrate at building a solid foundation and reservoir of young talents from the under 17s,20s and 23s.