.Lungu

By SANDRA MWILA –

MIDFIELDER Chisamba Lungu yesterday joined the Chipolopolo camp ahead of the October 11 and 15, Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Niger.
Chisamba, who plays for FC Ural in Russia, became the first foreign based player to join as coach Honour Janza kick-started the Chipolopolo preparations for the must win qualifiers.
Yesterday’s afternoon training session saw 13 out of the 17 local players called to the squad report for training under the guidance of Janza, who just returned from a coaches and technical director’s conference in Cairo, Egypt.
Those missing from yesterday’s training session at the Heroes National Stadium were Fwayo Tembo, defenders Christopher Munthali, Boyd Mkandawire and Patrick Ngoma.
Zambia guests Niger in Niamey on October 11 before playing host four days later at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. The Chipolopolo are on one point same as Niger, five behind leaders Cape Verde while Mozambique has two points.
Team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi said in an interview that Chisamba decided to join the team early as his Russian league is on a break.
Kamwambi said the remaining foreign based players would be expected to join camp next week after featuring for their respective clubs before the team departs for Niamey on Wednesday.
On the missing local players, Kamwambi said Fwayo was making travel arrangements from Tanzania where he had gone for trials while Ngoma had been excused as he would be writing his Grade 12 examinations.
He said Munthali asked for permission to attend to some family issues but was expected to join camp in the evening while Mkandawire has a bereavement.
Earlier, the squad faced a hitch after some clubs had allegedly refused to release some player’s owing to the weekend MTN-FAZ Premier League matches.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) communication manager Nkweto Tembwe hinted that some clubs were hesitant to release their players for the national assignment.
“As you may be aware, the MTN/FAZ league is advancing and clubs want to top the league and they are holding on to their players but as FAZ we are insisting that players report and will be released at the weekend,” Tembwe said.
Tembwe said the foreign based players would be expected to start arriving by Monday after featuring for their respective clubs in readiness for departure on Wednesday.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Danny Munyao (Red Arrows) and Joshua Titima (Power Dynamos).
Defenders: Christopher Munthali (Nkana), Kayawe Kapota (Kafue Celtic), Rodrick Kabwe (Zanaco), Donashano Malama (Nkana), Nyambe Mulenga (Zesco United), Boyd Mkandawire (Napsa Stars), Stopilla Sunzu (Sochaux, France) Emmanuel Mbola (Hapoel Ra’anana, Israel) and Kabaso Chongo (TP Mazembe, DRC).
Midfielders: Fwayo Tembo (Unattached), Shadreck Malambo (Red Arrows), Bruce Musakanya (Red Arrows), Larry Bwalya (Nchanga Rangers), Charles Zulu (Zanaco) Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe, DRC) Julius Situmbeko (Power Dynamos), Humphrey Maseneko (Konkola Blades), Chisamba Lungu (FC Ural, Russia), Nathan Sinkala (Grasshoppers, Switzerland) and Christopher Katongo (Bidvest Wits, South Africa)
Forwards:  Patrick Ngoma (Red Arrows), Ronald Kampamba (Nkana), Jacob Mulenga (Adana Dermispor, Turkey), Emmanuel Mayuka (Southampton, England), James Chamanga (Liaoning Whowin, China), Given Singuluma (TP Mazembe, DRC).