The list of foreign-based call-ups for Zambia’s 2010 World/Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier against Togo on Saturday, May 31 in Accra, Ghana is now complete after captain and striker Christopher Katongo of Danish Super League side Brondby joined camp on Wednesday evening.
Katongo completed the list of 11 foreign-based players called-up for Zambia head coach Herve Renard’s first competitive game in charge since the Frenchman’s appointment to the post on May 16 this year.
The Brondby striker’s arrival comes just 48 hours after club-less striker Collins Mbseuma arrived in camp following his late and shock recall to the Zambian fold this past Monday.
Mbesuma, formerly of Bursaspor in Turkey, has trained without any incident with his perennial dodgy knee holding on so far.
His wounded knee was behind his poor form that saw him barely play three games for Bursaspor of Turkey this season that was later liable for the termination of his three-year contract with the club less than 9 months after being signed on for English side Portsmouth.
Moreover, Mbesuma even came through without a problem in the 45 minutes of action on Wednesday he played during the second half of Zambia’s 2-0 win over Ghana division 2 club Nania FC in a training game.
Also arriving in camp late on Wednesday was Zesco United defender Nyambe Mulenga who is a late replacement for the injured Power Dynamos utility player Francis Kasonde.
However, Renard’s assistant coach and compatriot Patrice Beaumelle has yet to join the team and is due in Accra late on Thursday from his French base.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Kalililo Kakonje (Amazulu, South Africa), Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa)
Defenders: William Chinyama, Nyambe Mulenga (Both Zesco United), Kampamba Chintu (Free State Stars), Billy Mwanza, Joseph Musonda (Both Lamotville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Clive Sichondwe (Kabwe Warriors), Sanida Zulu (Chambishi)
Midfielders: Isaac Chansa (Helsingborg, Sweden), Felix Katongo (Stade Rennes, France), Clifford Mulenga (Bidvest Wits, South Africa), Rainford Kalaba (Zesco United) , Kennedy Mudenda (Power Dynamos)
Strikers: Christopher Katongo (Brondby, Denmark), Collins Mbesuma (Bursaspor, Turkey), James Chamanga (Dalian Haichang, China), Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors), Roger Kola (Zanaco)
this side looks good and hope the lads will do better! Go zambia go boys! iye chipolopolo.
Solid performance is needed all round, wear the jersey with pride, die a little for our country!Lets do it Boys, beating Togo is the start we need, and the start of good things to come.
The Zambian side has always looked good but the guyz lacked self team confidence,seriousness ,determnination and guidance.if these qualities can be planted in our players then we are in Souh Africa 2010
The Zambian side has always looked good but the guyz lacked self team confidence,seriousness ,determnination and guidance.if these qualities can be planted in our players then we are in Souh Africa 2010
“Strikers: Christopher Katongo (Brondby, Denmark), Collins Mbesuma (Bursaspor, Turkey)….”
I thought it has been reported that Mbesuma has no club. Please, let us be consistent in news reporting.
Otherwise, do what you have to do Zed lads. All the best.
So FAT BOY made the cut. I guess the coach thinks he is okay. Well he has the chance let him show us what is left in the tank.
All the best to the boys.The boys need to make sure the score first.
who scored in friendly game (Zambia vs Nania Fc )?
I think Zambia national soccer team has tried to prepare adequately this time.
In the past coachs always played friendly games with only local players who would later not even make it into the final squad.
The team should also take advatange of the problems Togo has been having and wire them by a large margin because goals at the end of the day matters in such competition
All the best.
Emmanual Mayuka and Felix scored in the friendly game, am just from reading the post news paper.
Its all to play for, “GO ZAMBIA GO”
I wish J Mulenga was there too his got the height and skill to intimidate when up front..hope his Nose Job doesnt Nag for too long…
Or get him a face mask like John Terry does..
Chanda (Aussie) Chileshe is it…??
I know one thing that has always failed Zambian football is the inablity of the FAZ to organise meaningful frienly matches for the National team but I must confess that this adminstration has started off on a bright note in terms of organising friendlies.
Zikomo Ba Munaiele Bamdala Na Ba Kalusha Bamdala.
This is The most important Game for Zambia in the Group, Imagine if we come out second in the group we wont qualify to the next stage. I hope the boys can get atleast a draw 2moro and we need to beat teams like Swaziland 5-0 or so.
Hi black feet ( #10) ,am not Chanda Chileshi.
I agree with u, high profile friendly games can motive our team.
Blessings.
Yebo Yes
Ha I cannot wait to see this game, it looks like this is the best team in recent times and I agree it is unfortunate that Jacob Mulenga wil not play, his hieght and skills are good for destruction of the opposition.
LET US PREDICT THE SCORELINE.ZAMBIA 3 TOGO 1.THE TOGOLIES CONSOLATION GOAL WILL BE SCORED BY ADEBAYOR THRU A PENALTY.
ZAMBIA’S GOALS WIIL BE SCORED BY:COLLINS MBESUMA,CHRISTOPHER KATONGO AND MAYUKA.
THE MAN OF THE MATCH WILL BE FELIX KATONGO.
GO ZAMBIA GO .
Best team indeed, though I would have loved to see sinkala in the team.One thing which I like about this team,which I would want to dub as the chris Katongo-intake,this guys are dedicated to national duties, most of these lads are the ones who represented Zambia U23 during the beijing olympics qualifiers.
They have become formidable players in our on eyes. whenever they are called for national duties the show up.Unlike most of the pros we had when the Katongo-intake was still playing for U23s.Billy mwanza, felix katongo, isaac chansa,chris katongo, Mbesuma, just to mention a few, these are some of the players who have come a long way together with passion (like what my name means).Thankx
The Togolese wont easily give up to a team they last beat 4 1.Our lads need to give everything they can do.Our group is very tricky as there is no second position
Yes!!! Thup the Togolese. The man, Mbesuma will do wonders! Zambia 3 Togo 1 is my prediction.
Cheers.
helo zanbia.with chris katonga joining the team all is well GO ZED GO….previous games ……..2001 Togo 4 Zambia 3..
2005 Togo 4 Zambia 1…2008 Togo 1 Zambia 3..
i think togolese fans will flock alot into ghana.zambia stand a chance to score a coulple of goals and my only hope is that the defenese does not leake coz adebayor an olufade are dangerous strikers.prediction 3-2 for zambia
Ku defence kulemoneka porous!
Ba LT i am i being censored? wonder why i can not see my sensible contributions…tell me
Anyway Go Zambia Go.
This won’t be an easy game whether Togo are having problems or not .They have been to the World Cup that will be motivation in it self for them.The confusion may also spur them to work harder.
Like #12 Kay says a draw would still be a good result though we must play for a win.Then we need to score as many as we can against Swaziland. Meanwhile the Swazis gave South Africa a tough time yesterday when the lost 1-0 in a friendly game .
what time is the game on tommorrow?
go go zedians. Mbesuma will score 2 goals,Mayuka 1, Chris 1
zambia 4 togo 1
Shidada,windhoek, kwaamba wabuka buti sunu.what are your predictions? as for kagumbuli,i predict a definate win.zambia 3 togo 0.All the best guys.
ino yebo shidada uzwa kuli?
Zambia 5 Togo 0 who tells you Adebayor is a factor just like Drogba was never a factor at the previous AFCON.
The game is 19:00hrs Zambian time # 25
Easy Mwe Bantu Bandi…easy easy too many predictions..
i dont want to sound negative but looks like we are already
expecting wonders from this coach remember its his first High profile match and if we lose the am sure comments on this page are goin to take a nasty left turn..:))
let hope they play baller panshie…Not as was the case in the first half with IRAN…all high long balls
Go Get Em Boys..
It’s good news that our fat bari”mbesuma” did play the last 45 minutes without showing any problems with his knee.I am hoping that guy will play so that keeps the togonese defenders on their toes.
GO ZAMBIA GO.
Hey guys stop making thoss stupid predictions, nowander your team loses all the time. Let the game predict itself. And your team loses, don’t be disappointed, i know there’s to much presure on your new coach. So let him and the players drcide the out come of the game.Us San Antonio Spurs made predictions that we will beat the mighty young Los Angeles Lakers, it back fired, so let the team decide the match, or don’t start crying over some calls from the match officials. I heard and read from the guys on yhis blog that this one of your best team representing your flag. Good lucky as for me iam on vacation now, am hearding to Hawaii and Jamaica for Summer.
chipolopolo boyz will take the day by a narrow 1 goal kwa zero..Togolese,despite problems will fight for every ball on the pitch come saturday..
renard chats with mbesuma lettin him know that as much as he is a senior he must not feel offended if the coach does not pick him in the startin line up becoz the coach thinks he is not yet fit.good call by the coach ,he is not playing names
What’s wrong with you ZAMBIANS? This crap of making your game prediction is BS and you should stop. I know how much you love your losing team but you should also respect the other team(TOGO). So let players themselves predict the out come of the match not you fools who don’t even play. I will put my money on TOGO to kick your ass(ZAMBIA).
Jeff #33 Long time i saw that article,Faz said it was up to the coach to assess Mbesuma & the coach did that when he asked Mbesuma to join the team.The coach has found Mbesuma not fully fit and he says he won’t start or maybe even play him.
The coach even had a one on one chat with Mbesuma.That was good not just dropping a player then you don’t tell him why.
#35 Sibs stop kissing Mbesuma’s ASS!!! You guys can do it without him.
#36 stop blogging you have nothing to say, if you hace a counter view just say it as it is not trying to repudiate those that are keeping LT going. Viva Zambia, nkwafwanayo
#36 am just real, iam just cautioning you not to get pissed off at your NEW COACH, THE PALYERS AND THE MATCH OFFICIALS if your team lose today. I know most of you guys on this blog are feck and you don’t wanna be open and trueful. So i will just gonna wait until the game is over then we will talk brothers.
DONT INSULT PEOPLE PLIZ,REMEMBER GOD SEES WHAT EVER WE WRITE AND SAY.THE JUDGEMENT DAY HAS DRAWN MORE NEARER THAN EVER.
WISHING ZAMBIA TO WIN IS NOT A BAD IDEA.
I WISH ZAMBIA ALL THE BEST.
TOGO HERE WE COME.EXPECT NOTHING THAN 3 0 WIN OVER TOGO.
Hey, people anyone with info on Independece Stadium? We need that Staduim to pay respect to our fallen heroes. Remember those days of ZAMBIA VS MOROCCO, ZAMBIA VS ZAIRE, ZAMBIA VS TUNISIA, etc those were the days. Is Mr. Liwewe around? Can someone bring back the fighting spirit from 70’s, 80’s and 90’s teams.
#40 You mean mr Liwewe your fellow malawian! He is still here in sweet zed where can you he go when you chased him from your evil country.
Rise up Chipolopolo, together claim your place in history!
Tim Duncan, learn to read and comprehend what Sibs said. You misread.
Thanks #41 for da update about Mr.Liwewe, he is Zambia Football Hero.
THANX FOR THE RESPONSE ON THE PREDICTIONS. ALL THE BEST
Problem with the Zambian national football team is that they tend to disappoint when it matters most. I don’t know if those boys are experienced enough to put up a good show at that level. Remember how they were overwhelmed by the Camerounians in the recent CAN due to over respecting them? I hope they will not over-respect Adebayor and co. otherwise our team will be destroyed. Our boys have the potential to do well.
Tim Duncan- This blog is for one love Zed peops,not them chaps who just got tossed out by the Lakers. You probably jumped on the San Antonio band wagon anyway(ur late buddy).You sound like a Loser,probably look like a Loser and u definitely are acting like a Loser,im sure the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.The real “Tim Duncan” on the other hand is a champion ,the closest u`ll come to being a champ is using a champions name.(U loser)
We make predictions here because we believe in the potential of our boys to succeed.Our predictions show our confidence in the rise of Zambian football once again!
Viva Zambia, Viva Chipolopolo,3-1 Zambia nuff said.
Seen from afar #42.Thanks i saw this guy ‘Tim Duncan’s comment during the day.He is just looking for attention thats why i did not bother to respond to his comment.Ealier on he was trying to impress over his knowledge of the NBA .I am sure quiet a few guys here have been watching the Eastern Conf & Western Conf finals but we not been showing off.
Guys any one with some info if we can catch the game live on the net.Whisper where are you? You are the man on this one.I have tried to source something but couldn’t.
Anyone with info about the game
Zambia is a good team, but the need to be eating good, luck energy most of the times. our boys are too small.
the only area we need to strengthen is za dfence come on guys we can do it to is not a team we can keep fearing all the time
GO ZAMBIA GOOOOOOOO!!!!
zambia 3 togo 1
GO ZAMBIA GOOO!
There’s nothing wrong with predicting the outcome of the match as its part and parcel of supporting a team. I am also hopeful for a win as the boys shouldn’t be intimidated like last time in Lome. By the way the Iranian crowd is very intimidating for foreign teams, whether its a friendly or not, so the team did well to get back into the match.
By the way the togolese players are very intimidating for foreign team especially strikers
Just curious “ARE WE READY?!!!!” . Good luck Zambia may it rain goals, we long for the good old days. ” HAMA MUFANA MANJE, ITS A GOOOOOOALLLLLLL! PICK IT UP STUDIO 1!”
The loadist out.
Mbesuma has been ruled out of the game as the coach believes he is not fit enough to contribute positively to any competitive match. This is according to times of zambia sport. Those who were worried about him, here is your answer. Well done coach for assessing and giving chance to all players.
can anyone of you Zedian people hell me with the website where i can get information on the Zambia Togo game ? when are we starting the game? Please help me i will be delighted to hear from you Truly Zambians
i mean tell me
Zed 0 Togo 5