. Lwandamina

By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
‘CHICKEN’ George Lwandamina has given Nkana striker Walter Bwalya a national team debut call as the Chipolopolo enters camp today for the Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier away to Kenya on September 6.
Bwalya, who is on loan at Nkana from Forest Rangers, makes up part of the 23 local players named for the AFCON qualifier and the international friendly against Gabon to be played two days later at Heroes National Stadium in Lusaka.
According to the list released by Chipolopolo team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi, Bwalya, the exciting leftie who has helped resurrect the fortunes at Nkana, will be part of the six strikers Lwandamina will have in camp.
“We have called 23 players and they enter camp on Sunday (today) in Lusaka. We expect a full house when the team starts training on Monday. Walter (Bwalya) has been observed for some time and as a Zambian, he gets his chance to don the national jersey,” Kamwambi said.
Bwalya, a Forest Rangers player, is among the three players that Nkana snapped up on loan during the mid-season transfer window. He has four goals to his name in the league so far although three of them were netted during his time at Forest.
Apart from Bwalya, there are no major surprises in the team with the absence of Allan Mukuka being the only notable issue although struggling Red Arrows has contributed the highest number of players, five.
Power Dynamos and Nkana are the next biggest legions contributing four players each followed by Green Buffaloes and Zesco United, who each have three players in the squad.
Kamwambi said the foreign-based players would be named two weeks before the game and would be expected to join camp at least even days before playing Kenya.
Zambia drew the opening Group E match against Guinea Bissau while Kenya and Congo Brazzaville played to a 1-all draw in the other group match.
The full list has goalkeepers: Danny Munyao (Arrows), Jacob Banda (Zesco) and Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco).
Christopher Munthali (Power), Boyd Mkandawire (Napsa Stars), Benedict Chepeshi (Red), Kayawe Kapota and Donashano Malama (Nkana) are the defenders.
Midfielders include Buchizya Mfune, Jackson Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Benson Sakala (Power), Solomon Sakala (Kabwe Warriors), Paul Katema, Bruce Musakanya, Shadreck Malambo (Arrows), Kelvin Mubanga (Power), Jacob Ngulube (Mufulira Wanderers).
The strikers are lead by Jimmy Ndhlovu, Bwalya (Nkana), Patson Daka (Power), Jackson Mwanza, Winston Kalengo (Zesco) and Friday Samu (Buffaloes).