By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA—
EXCITING midfielder Lubambo Musonda is among the three Zambia Under-20 players named in coach Patrice Beaumelle’s 30-member Chipolopolo provisional squad to face Japan next week.
Beaumelle has summoned Musonda with goalkeeper Mangani Banda and striker Patrick Ngoma, who netted a brace over the two legs against Mozambique, into the team that goes into camp this evening in readiness for the June 6 international friendly match slated for the United States of America (USA).
The Zambia Under-20 team at the weekend added pomp to the Senegal 2015 Africa Youth Championship (AYC) qualifiers by beating Mozambique 2-0 at Nkoloma Stadium to get an aggregate win of 4-0 and will play Malawi in August for a place at the finals.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) communications manager, Nkweto Tembwe said  logistics available, the team should go into camp today in readiness for the key match set for Tampa, Florida.
Tembwe said the match would have one of the strongest assembled Chipolopolo squad with the French-based trio of Stoppila Sunzu, Nathan Sinkala and Emmanuel Mayuka as well as Jacob Mulenga all expected to be part of the team.
The team will, however, be without the services of the TP Mazembe and Nkana players, who will be involved in continental football at the time Zambia will be taking on the Blue Samurai.
“The coach (Beaumelle) has named a strong team. He has also included a lot of local players and it’s his belief that these groups of experienced and raw players get to play together more often. At the end of the camp, 23 players will make the trip to the USA,” he said.
The 30-member list is predominant of local players though it has some unexpected call ups like Fwayo Tembo, Emmanuel Mbola and Mukuka Mulenga, who have been out of action for a long time.
Back in form Isaac Chansa, who has scored three goals in his two league appearances for Zanaco, has been included in the squad and might make the trip depending on the visa processes.
The full squad has goalkeepers in Kennedy Mweene, Toaster Nsabata, Mangani Banda and Joshua Titima.
Defenders are Davies Nkausu, Jimmy Chisenga, Stoppila Sunzu, Hichani Himoonde, Joseph Musonda, Emmanuel Mbola, Rodrick Kabwe and George Chilufya.
The midfielders are Nathan Sinkala, Kondwani Mtonga, Justin Zulu, Isaac Chansa, Chisamba Lungu, Felix Katongo, Mukuka Mulenga, Shadreck Malambo, Fwayo Tembo, Kennedy Mudenda, Lubambo Musonda and Adrian Chama.
The strikers are Christopher Katongo, Jacob Mulenga, Emmanuel Mayuka, Moses Phiri, James Chamanga and Patrick Ngoma.