By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA and SANDRA MWILA –
ZAMBIA yesterday shifted their training base to South Africa as the team entered the last phase of preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament that kicks off in seven days’ time in Kigali, Rwanda.
The George Lwandamina-coached team which took the 07:20 hours flight to Johannesburg trained in the afternoon, with delegation leader Pivoty Simwanza describing the team as focused with a lifted mood.
“We travelled well and went straight to the hotel, the guys seem to have their mood lifted. This is good when you are going into this kind of tournament where expectations are high. The focus is visible and I must say these are good signs,” Simwanza said.
The team is camped at the Sun Hotel, Milpark Garden, and would be training from their usual base, the University of Johannesburg.
“The team’s mood is high, I think this South Africa camp is good for the team. They look more focused now and I only hope the players don’t lose this focus as we get closer to the tournament,” Simwanza said.
He said there was no doubt that the team would perform well in Rwanda.
He added that the temperatures of between 31 and 33 degrees celsius were also perfect for the team with the forecast not showing any changes in the coming days, which was the same with Rwanda.
The players’ spirits were lifted further after South Africa-based hitman Collins Mbesuma, who plays for Mpumalanga Black Aces, received the team at OR Tambo International Airport.
Team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi also spoke highly of the mood, saying the training session was filled with zeal and that it was clear that the players had their minds set on the tournament.
“But for now, it will be the first preparatory practice match against Angola on the coaches’ minds and I am sure the guys will give their best,” Kamwambi said.
Zambia are in Group D with Zimbabwe, Mali and Uganda and get their first test in the CHAN against their next-door rivals Zimbabwe on January 19.