. Kalaba
By NDINAWE SIMPELWE –
CHIPOLOPOLO skipper Rainford Kalaba and four other foreign-based players have joined camp ahead of tomorrow’s Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifier against Congo Brazzaville at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
First choice goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene and striker Winston Kalengo are expected to arrive later tonight.
The TP Mazembe contingent of midfielders Kalaba and Nathan Sinkala, and defender Kabaso Chongo as well as the South African duo of striker Collins Mbesuma of Mpumalanga Black Aces and defender Davies Nkausu of Free State Stars joined the local players who have been in camp for a week at Mukuba Hotel.
Three more foreign-based players who included defender Stopilla Sunzu, midfielder Lubambo Musonda and striker Evans Kangwa were expected last evening.
The arrival of the players is a big boost for coach George Lwandamina, though it remains to be seen how the key players would respond during a congested period of matches that includes a lot of travelling.
Lwandamina will have reasons to panic on Kalengo of AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville and Mweene from South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns as the two are not expected in until later tonight.
Acting team manager Stanley Kaseko confirmed that the two players were the only late arrivals expected in camp.
Kaseko said the late arrival of Mweene and Kalengo was beyond the association’s control as Leopards hosted Sundowns for their CAF Confederation Cup second leg on Saturday, however, due to presidential elections in Congo Brazzaville, there were no flights allowed in or out of the country over the weekend.
“Kalengo and Mweene will be the latest arrivals for the team. We expect them to arrive tomorrow (today) evening. We had a situation which was beyond our control in Congo.
“As you may be aware, they were holding presidential elections, so on that particular day, Sunday night, flights were not allowed to fly out. Airports were closed,” Kaseko said.
He said four Zesco United players were expected last night from Guinea.
The team had light training in the morning before a full session in the evening at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:00 hours, while Congo Brazzaville are expected in Ndola around 13:00 hours on a chartered plane.
Congo and Zambia are tied on four points but the Chipolopolo have an inferior goal aggregate, while Kenya and Guinea Bissau are also level on a point each.
And Zambia Sports Fans Association leader Peter Makembo has wished the Chipolopolo well and assured them of maximum support.
Makembo also welcomed the Andrew Kamanga-led executive and urged the Chipolopolo to win in their honour as well as Government for its unwavering support.
