Zambia have excused their TP Mazembe stars from the June 6 friendly against Japan to be played in the United States.
Mazembe have a CAF Champions League match against Zamalek in the same week Chipolopolo will face Japan- who are preparing for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Mazembe players who were set to be named in the Zambia squad to face Japan are midfielder Rainford Kalaba, striker Given Singuluma and defender Kabaso Chongo.
FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya revealed that Nkana players Ronald Kampamba and Evans Kangwa have also been excused from the Japan friendly.
Nkana are scheduled to travel to Tunisia to face Etoile du Sahel in the CAF Confederation Cup on the same weekend Zambia will be in the US.
“We did not want to disturb players from Nkana and TP Mazembe because of their important matches. So we have excused them from the Japan friendly,” Kalusha said.
Too bad,no ‘Master’ again?
Here we go again; Zambian players have more to gain in this high profile friendly than playing club football. This could be the only chance some of these players get to be exposed to foreign scouts. In this case, it may be appropriate for the players to choose country over club.
I am a foreign scout and I will be at the game. I want good zambian players to play in MLS America.