The Zambia Under-23 national team entered day 2 of training camp in Lusaka ahead of next weekends Olympic Games football tournament Group B qualifier away to Cote d’Ivoire in Abidajn on November 17.
Four players continue to be absent from Under-23 training camp due to BP Top 8 final commitments this Saturday.
Nakambala Leopards and Kabwe Warriors who meet Saturdays BP Top final match to be played at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka have held on to their key players for the weekend fixure.
Warriors have held on to defenders Bronson Chama and Under-23 captain Clive Sichondwe including striker Emmanuel Mayuka.
Demoted Nakambala have also kept striker Signs Chibambo away from Under-23 training camp to prepare for their showdown against Warriors.
“They are not new players and they have played with us for a long time and know what to do,” Kaumba said today at the end of Thursday morning’s training session at Queensmead.
“We’ve trained with Mayuka in Maamba when he joined us for the first time and we know what to expect from him too,” Kaumba said.
Kaumba said he was expecting the four players in camp on Saturday evening immediately after the BP Top Eight final.
He said the three South African based players called for the game against Ivory Coast will join the team next week en route to Abidjan.
Kaumba said the team leaves for Abidjan on Thursday, November 15 ahead of the match scheduled for Saturday the 17th.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Rabson Muchelenganga (Power Dynamos), Kalililo Kakonje (Nathi Lions, South Africa), Jacob Banda (Zesco United).
Defenders: Bronson Chama, Clive Sichondwe (Both Kabwe Warriors), Hichani Himoonde (Lusaka Dynamos), Charles Siyingwa (Konkola Blades), Maybin Ngosa (Green Buffaloes), Davies Nkausu (Pretoria University, South Africa), Eugene Shamakamba (Zamtel FC)
Midfielders: Francis Kasonde, Simon Bwalya, Norman Munthali (All Power Dynamos), William Njobvu (Lusaka Dynamos), Thimothy Mbewe (Red Arrows), Stophira Nsunzu (Konkola Blades)
Forwards: Signs Chibambo (Nakambala Leopards), Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors), Reuben Tembo (Green Buffaloes), Given Singuluma (Bay United, South Africa), Felix Nsunzu (Konkola Blades)