Zanaco defender Ziyo Tembo has been call-up for Zambia duty for the first time.
The Zanaco captain is one of four players handed debut call-ups by George Lwandamina to his provisional 28-member domestic -based players team that gathers in Ndola on July 31 for weekly training camp ahead of the September date against Kenya.
Ziyo, who has scored five goals this season for Zanaco of which four have come in the league, has been called-up together with Green Buffaloes defender Mweene Mumbi.
Striker’s Josphat Kasusu of Kabwe Warriors and Justin Shonga from Nkwazi are the other two.
Also back is Nkana defender Christopher Munthali.
Munthali returns to the fold for the first time since the 2016 CHAN tournament in Rwanda but was later frozen out of the team following a two-month ban he served in March after breaching his contract with his ex-club Power Dynamos.
Zambia will host Kenya in a formality 2017 Africa Cup Group E qualifier on September 3.
Goalkeepers: Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Danny Munyao (Red Arrows), Racha Kola (Zanaco)
Defenders: Emmanuel Museka (Lusaka Tigers), Simon Silwimba (Zesco United), Buchizya Mfune, Adrian Chama, Mweene Mumbi (all Green Buffaloes), Ziyo Tembo, Fackson Kapumbu (both Zanaco), Christopher Munthali (Nkana)
Midfielders: Benson Sakala (Power Dynamos), Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Spencer Sautu (Green Eagles), Mwape Mwelwa, Kondwani Mtonga, Clatus Chama, Misheck Chaila (all Zesco), Roderick Kabwe, Charles Zulu, Richard Kasonde (all Zanaco)
Strikers: Jackson Mwanza, John Chingandu (both Zesco), Christopher Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Fashion Sakala (Zanaco), Justin Shonga (Nkwazi), Josphat Kasusu (Kabwe Warriors)
This selection is not balanced. It weighs heavy towards defence rather than attack. Where are natural wingers and creative midfielders? The Kabwe Warriors Nsofwas and the Lusaka Dynamos Sokos. The Katemas are uni-dimensional can’t think while on the ball.
Fwayo Tembo need be in team.
Then add those 2 under 17 who are scoring like crazy, especially that one from Livingston Pirates.
Where were all these players during the COSAFA tournament? Believe me you these players would have performed much better than what we saw. The only caution to the coach is that consistency some times pays. Changing the team every now and then is not very good. But I am aware that preparations for the World Cup qualifiers should begin now. We don’t want to come and see another list of players again because that creates confusion. Only foreign based players should be added to the list above once the new coach has been identified. I believe FAZ will maintain Gearge Lwandamina to work along side the expatriate coach yet to be employed. But this is a good start.
I know it is important to select players basing on their current form, but this Zambian way of doing the selection is not good and not progressive at all. Today its this player selected and tomorrow its that one within a short period. This is the only National Team where every Jim and jack can be selected to play. Ba Lwandamina is very inconsistent and no wonder we cannot dununa forward.
Lyonse ifwe we take our players ku AFCON for exposure purposes, but when are we going to take a full national soccer team to fight for honors? Abanenu balachinja, but not the whole team. Awe tefyo bane…