PATRICK Phiri has named three stand-by call-ups for Zambia’s Africa Cup final of build-up.
The three are Zambia junior international striker Fwayo Tembo of Eduports, Lusaka Dynamos and Under-23 defender Hichani Himoonde and Forest Rangers goalkeeper Charles Chileshe.
Himoonde has already joined the team in camp and was present at Thursdays training session held at Bank of Zambia Sports Complex.
Tembo on the other hand is said to be in Tunisia where he is said to be close to securing a deal with a local too-flight club there.
Phiri said he was expecting Chileshe to join the team before the weekend bringing to two the number of goalkeepers in camp together with Mike Poto of Green Buffaloes.
“We have decided to call up Charles Chileshe because we have only one goalkeeper in camp and the other two are based abroad,” Phiri said.
“We need to train with two goalkeepers that is why we have brought him into the team.”
Phiri’s two South African-based goalkeeper’s called up for Africa Cup duty are first choice Kennedy Mweene of Free State Stars and Kalililo Kakonje of Nathi Lions.
The duo is due to join the team after Christmas when the team is expected to leave for Spain where they will play the Andalusia regional team in a friendly match in Jerez on December 27.
Meanwhile, 12 players are in camp and they include four foreign-based players excluding Christopher Katongo of Brondby in Denmark.
Katongo has been excused from training this week and will join the team later after attending to business appointment in South Africa.
The quartet in camp is Felix Katongo, Ian Bakala and Dube Phiri who are all based in Angola including Clive Hachilensa of Mariehamn in Finland.
The local players in camp are Poto, Himoonde, Francis Kasonde and Kennedy Mudenda both of Power Dynamos.
Others are defender Kennedy Nkethani and striker Ignatius Lwipa both of Zanaco, Kabwe Warriors striker Emmanuel Mayuka plus Dynamos midfielder William Njobvu.
James Chamanga has rediscovered his form and Phiri should include him in the team at the espense of Felix Nsunzu. He is the leading goal scorer in PSL in South Africa with 9 goals.He scored 2 goals on wednesday in a game his club Moroka Swallows played Free state stars. Another zambian top goal score in PSL is on the horison after Mbesuma and katongo in recent times.
Ba Coach do you have a quarrel with James Chamanga? Such personal quarrels should not stand in the way of national goals. Bury the hatchet and pick Chamanga. Chamanga is in form and in Ghana he will be on a roll. Mbesuma whom you have picked wont score because his form has gobe down. Please think for the nation not for yourself!
# 2 Viva correct thinking! If chamanga grabbed your girfriend, bury that and look forward by including the boy, Harry Milanzi inclusive in the team. They are no doubt a quality material than what you have.