. KATONGO

By SANDRA MWILA –
RECALLED Christopher Katongo has been handed back the Chipolopolo captain armband ahead of the Rwanda 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament set for next month.
Meanwhile, Zanaco midfielder Isaac Chansa has vowed to work hard to earn a position in the Chipolopolo first eleven.
Zesco United goalkeeper, Jacob Banda, who has been captaining the locally based Chipolopolo side is said to have freely handed over the captaincy to Katongo before yesterday’s morning training session at Independence Stadium in Lusaka.
Chipolopolo team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi said in an interview that it was in order for Katongo who captained Zambia to the first ever Africa Cup triumph to retain his position as skipper.
Kamwambi said in an interview that Banda willingly handed over the captaincy to Katongo because that was his position before he was dropped.
“Of course the captain is Katongo. Jacob handed over the captaincy freely, this is just protocol; when he left he was captain,” Kamwambi said.
He said Katongo was not discarded from the team but only dropped for a particular time when the coach did not need his services. Kamwambi said the technical bench noted that the team lacked experience hence the roping in of Katongo and Chansa.
“It is important that we bring in experience, we noticed that the Under-23 had a bad outing in Senegal.  It’s not that they are bad, but the team lacked experience.
“If you look at Paul Katema and Benedict Chepeshi, they play well with the likes of Stopilla Sunzu and Buchizya Mfune,” he said.
Speaking in a separate interview, Chansa said he was honoured to be recalled to the national team and thanked the coaches and management for believing in him.
“It feels great to be back in the national team, I am honoured, I just want to thank God, the coaches and management for believing in me. I have to work hard to make my way back into the first eleven. It won’t be easy and I hope my experience will not only add value on the pitch of play but also motivate young players,” Chansa said.
The 2012 AFCON winning star said everyone in the team was working hard to ensure that they win the CHAN tournament.
Meanwhile, 20 players took part in the first training session, but missing from the team was in-form striker Winston Kalengo, Conlyde Luchanga, Toaster Nsabata and the Green Eagles trio of Spencer Sautu, Mwila Phiri and Adamson Mulawo.
Kamwambi said Kalengo had got permission to be absent for a period of time as he is sorting out a personal problem.
He added that Luchanga and Nsabata were in camp, though they were unwell and were being attended to by the team medical staff.
He said the Eagles trio was by Press time en-route to Lusaka and was expected to be part of the afternoon training session.