By SANDRA MWILA –
Zambia 0 Sundowns 0

• THE CHAN-bound Chipolopolo players get ready for a training session at the University of Johannesburg Stadium.

GEORGE ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina says the Chipolopolo will be ready and competitive ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals but feels there is need to work on turning chances into goals.
Lwandamina watched helplessly yesterday as his side created about eight clear scoring chances in the barren draw against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns as the Chipolopolo wrapped up their final phase of preparations.
The Chipolopolo leave for Rwanda today via Lusaka with Lwandamina happy with team progression so far and declared the squad near ready for the CHAN that kicks off on Saturday.
“We are creating chances and in the first half alone, we had eight clear chances to score, more than we created in one-half alone in our 2-1  win against Angola. Now we have to work at translating those chances into goals. We are solid all round and I am sure we will be ready and very competitive,” Lwandamina said.
The Chipolopolo face neighbours Zimbabwe on Tuesday at 15:00 hours in a Group D opening match before playing Uganda, they end the campaign for a quarterfinal place against Mali.
“We are now at 80 to 90 per cent of our preparations. The remainder of that is what we will do in the few days before kick-off and before we finally declare the squad ready.
“We are solid. I’m happy with how we are pressing and closing gaps.
The essence of these training games like I’ve consistently said is not so much the score line but looking at how much we have progressed with our preparations,” said Lwandamina after yesterday’s match.
Zambia beat Angola 2-1 in the first practice session on Sunday before playing Sundowns, the team that Chipolopolo first choice keeper Kennedy Mweene plays for yesterday.
Lwandamina has also demanded hard work and a positive attitude for his squad.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane hailed the hard work of the Zambian team and wished the Chipolopolo well in Rwanda.
“You have a good side here. Lots of young players but talented and being inspired by the good work and experience of guys like Chris and Isaac. You should do well there and wish you all the best,” Mosimane said.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s game saw Lwandamina field two teams in a practice match played at Chloorkop.
Lwandamina fielded Jacob Banda, Dauti Musekwa, Stephen Kabamba, Buchizya Mfune, Adrian Chama, Salulani Phiri, Mwila Phiri, Mwape Mwelwa, Christopher Katongo, Isaac Chansa and Cletus Chama.
Team B had Racha Kola, Donashano Malama, Solomon Sakala, Christopher Munthali, George Chilufya, Jack Chirwa, Benson Sakala, Spencer Sautu, Patson Daka, Adamson Mulao and Conlyde Luchanga.
FAZ club licensing manager Erick Mwanza said, goalkeepers Banda and Kola were hardly tested by Sundowns strike force of Teko Modise, Anthony Laffor, Katlego Mashego, Surprise Moriri or indeed substitutes Siyanda Zwane, Fiston Abdul and Khaya Shozi.