By SANDRA  MWILA  –
A CONFIDENT 15-member Zambia Under-19 cricket team yesterday left for Mozambique for the Twenty20 Invitational Triangular tournament that starts today in Maputo.
Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) president Reuben Chama, who released the list yesterday, expressed confidence that the youthful side coached by Allan Nsensha will perform wonders.
Chama explained that while the Mozambique outing was for the seniors, his union decided to send an Under-19 team as the competition would be a good development outing for the young boys.
“We have a robust youth developmental programme and this is why we felt obliged to send our Under-19 team that marginally missed out on promotion to Division-One of the International Cricket Council-Africa league,” he said.
Chama said Gladson Kandela, a senior player with Nkwazi, has been included in the team to help give the players experience along with Nsensha who is also the ZCU Cricket development officer.
The invitational tournament will run from May 14 to 18 in Maputo will also feature Malawi.
The team will be led by captain Joseph Chinunga (Lusaka) and his vice Musonda Yambayamba (Luanshya Royals).
Others are James Zimba, Ayusu Patel, Chetan Reddy, Misheck Malama, Chanda Mumba (Lusaka) Bornface Syasyipa (Mufulira) Asha Simwinga (Nchanga), Kanswe Omala, Chimya Chilekwa, James Chembo (Luanshya Royals), Gladson Kandela (Nkwazi), Lucky Lubinga (Nkana),
Chama said the ZCU will be represented by committee member Ng’andu Yandikani, who will also double as team manager. Brian Yambayamba is going as one of the umpires at the tournament as per the request from the host country.