Mbesuma dropped
By Sports Reporter
FAZ yesterday released a revised 23-man Zambia soccer squad for the joint 2010 Africa and World Cup qualifier against Egypt with South Africa based striker Collins Mbseuma leading the notable absentees.
This is the first time a fully fit Mbesuma has been left out of the team since the then Roan United youngster burst onto the scene with a magical left foot that would send him to Kaizer Chiefs, Portsmouth, Maritimo, Bursaspor and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Also struck off the initial list alongside Mbesuma is China-based striker James Chamanga, South Africa -based Francis Kombe, Ignatius Lwipa of Zanaco, Power Dynamos defender Francis Kasonde and Green buffaloes netminder Davy Kaumbwa.
According to the list released yesterday, only four members of the bronze medal winning Chan squad, William Njobvu, Jonas Sakuwaha, Nyambe Mulenga and Given Singuluma have been retained in the Chipolopolo proper squad.
Coach Herve Renard has also extended the exile period for German-based duo Moses Sichone and Andrew Sinkala although FAZ spokesperson Emmanuel Munaile gave the clearest hint yet that the two might be included in the team for the next match against Rwanda should the coach require their services.
“The coach has picked the team and that’s final. If Renard will require their services for the next game against Rwanda, nothing will stop Moses and Andrew from playing or any other player for that matter,” Munaile said.
Speaking at a Press briefing at Football House, Munaile said from the 23 players called to camp, Renard would further trim the squad to 18 players travelling to North Africa for the clash billed for the mighty Cairo stadium.
He said the Chipolopolo squad would start its preparations for the match against the African champions with a training camp in South Africa where all the Europe-based players are expected to joint the team before departure for Cairo.
The FAZ spokesperson said that it had been difficult to arrange an international friendly match for the team ahead of the meeting with the Pharoahs because the association could not secure the release of the bulk of the squad on non-FIFA dates for friendly matches.
He said that FAZ had initially linedup a friendly match on February 10 against an unnamed opponent who opted to play another team at the very last meeting, leaving Renard with only the training in South Africa to mould the team.
And FAZ gave Nchanga Rangers until yesterday to furnish the association with the contract for international defender Elijah Tana failure to which the association would go ahead and issue him with an ICT for him to start playing for his new Angolan side Recreativo De Cala.
Munaile said it was unfortunate that despite numerous promises, responses from Nchanga were not forthcoming, hence the decision by FAZ to give the deadline after which the association would have no choice but to sanction the player to move to the Angolan side.
The full squad: Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars), Kalililo Kakonje (Amazulu)Davies Nkausu (Supersport United), Misheck Lungu (Bodapest Honved), Nyambe Mulenga (Zesco United), Chintu Kampamba (Amazulu), Hichani Himonde (Zesco United), Dennis Banda (Green Baffaloes), Elijah Tana (Recreativo De Cala), Emmanuel Mbola (Mining Rangers), Joseph Musonda (Golden Arrows), Stoppila Sunzu (Chateauroux), Issac Chansa (IFK Helsingborg), Jonas Sakuwaha (Zesco United), Fwayo Tembo (Etoile du Sahel), Rainford Kalaba (Gil Vicente), William Njobvu (Zesco United), Noah Chivuta (Supersport United), Felix Katongo (Chateauroux), Given Singuluma (Zanaco), Chris Katongo (Arminia Bielefeld), Emmanuel Mayuka (Maccabi Tel-Aviv) and Jacob Mulenga (Chateauroux).
