By NDINAWE SIMPELWE and SANDRA MWILA –

NYIRENDA

FRESH from suffering an embarrassing 1-0 home defeat against Mozambique, coach Wedson Nyirenda today leads out a depleted Chipolopolo to face South Africa in an international friendly match at Maruleng Stadium at 19:00hrs.
Nyirenda said in an interview before departure that it would be difficult to play Bafana Bafana and prepare for the COSAFA Castle Cup without players from Zesco United and Zanaco.
“We are going to South Africa with a makeshift team, we were just shocked yesterday when Zesco United authorities come to pick up their players and Zanaco have also refused to release their players,” Nyirenda said.
Nyirenda would be without Jacob Banda, Dave Daka, John Chinga’andu, Kondwani Mtonga and Fackson Kapumbu from Zesco while the Zanaco players include Augustine Mulenga, Toaster Nsabata, Richard Kasonde, Ziyo Tembo and George Chilufya.
He lamented that it would be difficult to talk about the preparedness of the team ahead of the friendly game looking at the circumstances that surround the team.
“Zesco claim they want to do Visa’s while Zanaco did not release the players saying they have an important game on Wednesday. It becomes difficult for me and the problem is that we have so many enemies in football,” Nyirenda said.
Asked whether there is pressure heading into the clash against South Africa coming from defeat, Nyirenda said he is never under pressure.
“I am never under pressure. We will do what we can and psyche the boys. Let them play and enjoy the game,” Nyirenda said
Meanwhile, the Chipolopolo and Bafana Bafana face each other at a time they are going through contrasting fortunes with their new coaches.
While Zambia was being humiliated at home in the in the Cameroon 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, South Africa was shining bright in Nigeria where they beat the Super Eagles 2-0.
Both teams are using tonight’s friendly to prepare for the upcoming COSAFA championship and are expected to field their locally based players.
But still it would be Zambia that looks set to suffer the consequences as half of the local based players who make up the team will not be available due to club commitments.
Encounters between the two COSAFA giants have always been tense regardless of the competition and Nyirenda would need to forget about his depleted side but get the best out of his players to return home victorious.
Nyirenda will have to do with a almost a new sq uad where he has given three players, Jubell Sakala, Alex Mwamba and Webby Mushili their first national team call ups.
He has also recalled Red Arrows midfielder Paul Katema and Power Dynamos defender Lawrence Chungu though he has retained most the players who drew with Gabon in another international friendly earlier this month.
South Africa coach Stuart Baxter is adamant to keep a winning culture for his team and promised to field a strong side though he is expected to give a chance to some players who did not feature in the famous Nigeria victory.
He has, however, warned his charges to forget about the Nigeria game and look at tonight’s clash against Zambia.
Full team has Goalkeepers: Allan Chibwe (Power Dynamos), Charles Mweemba (Lumwana Radiants).
Defenders: Isaac Shamujompa (Nchanga Rangers), Billy Mutale and Lawrence Chungu (Power), Webby Mushili (Red Arrows), Alex Mwamba (Napsa Stars), Donashano Malama (Nkana) Jubell Sakala (Nkwazi) Eric Chomba (Nkwazi).
Midfielders: Stanley Nshimbi and Paul Katema (Arrows), Godfrey Ngwenya (Power), Nsofwa Mwansa (Lusaka Dynamos), Collins Sikombe (Napsa), Fwayo Tembo (Power) and Mwila Phiri (Green Eagles).
Strikers: Lubinda Mundia (Arrows), Ronald Kampamba (Nkana), Justin Shonga (Nkwazi), Brian Mwila (Green Buffaloes).