Zambia will be out for revenge when they take on Namibia in a Chan first leg encounter at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Sunday.
After Namibia dumped the defending champions out of the Cosafa Cup, Zambian soccer has been in turmoil, and coach Honour Janza was summarily sacked and replaced by George Lwandamina.
Lwandamina, himself, has only been appointed on a temporary basis and according to Zambian reports, a new foreign coach will be announced soon.
Lwandamina’s reign started off with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Guinea Bissau in an Afcon qualifier last weekend and they will be out to take revenge against the new Cosafa Cup champions, Namibia.
Although the match will only feature local-based players, Lwandamina has called up a strong squad which started training in Lusaka earlier this week.
The squad includes 12 players who were called up against Guinea Bissau over the weekend, while 10 players remain from their Cosafa Cup campaign.
An exciting addition is their midfield sensation and u-20 captain Lubambo Musonda, who is currently unattached following the termination of his contract with Armenian club FC Ulisses. Musonda, who has been likened to legendary Zambian midfielder Charly Musonda, was determined that Zambia would win the match.
“We are going to Namibia with a mission, we are going there to win.”
“It’s good that the coach has kept faith in us the young players and we won’t disappoint him,” he was quoted as saying in the Zambian media.
Another upcoming star is their pacy winger Charles Zulu of Zanaco Football Club, who recently attended trials with Spanish second division club Elche FC.
Six players remain from the team that lost on penalties to Namibia in the Cosafa Cup, namely defenders Christopher Muntali and Donashano Malama; midfielders Kondwani Mtonga and Justin Zulu; and strikers Jimmy Ndlovu and Jackson Mwanza.
Other first choice players who were in the squad against Guinea Bissau include goalkeepers Daniel Munyao and Jacob Banda; defenders Kapota Kayawe and Boyd Mkandawira; midfielder Jackson Chirwa and striker Patson Daka.
Zambia have selected a very young squad, which mainly consists of u-23 players, while there are also six u-20 national players in the squad.
The u-20 players in the squad are highly-rated teenage striker Patson Daka, Charles Zulu, Kapota Kayawe, Lubambo Musonda, Patrick Ngoma, Boyd Mkandawire and Benedict Chepeshi.
The second leg encounter between the two teams will take place in Zambia on 4 July, with the aggregate winner to take on Mozambique or Seychelles in the final-round decider in October for a place at next year’s Chan tournament in Rwanda.
The victor of the Zambia/Namibia game will be at home in the final round, first leg qualifier on October 17 while the final leg will be played a week later.
The Namibia Football Association meanwhile announced that Sunday’s Chan qualifier will start at 14h30 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, while tickets are available at N$40 at Computicket outlets and at Football House.
The Zambian squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Danny Munyau (Red Arrows), Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco)
Defenders: Christopher Munthali (Power Dynamos), Donashano Malama, Kapota Kayawe (both Nkana), Fackson Kapumbu (Zanaco), Boyd Mkandawire (Napsa Stars), Bronson Chama, Benedict Chepeshi (both Red Arrows), Webster Mulenga (Nakambala Leopards)
Midfielders: Justin Zulu, Kondwani Mtonga (both Zesco United), Shadreck Malambo, Paul Katema (both Red Arrows), Jack Chirwa, Buchizya Mfune (both Green Buffaloes), Lubambo Musonda (unattached).
Strikers: Moses Phiri (Zanaco), Patrick Ngoma (Red Arrows), Jimmy Ndhlovu (Power Dynamos), Allan Mukuka (Green Buffaloes), Patson Daka (Nchanga Rangers).
Zambian midfielder Kondwani Mtonga and Namibian midfielder Wangu Gome in action during the Cosafa Cup in May. Photo: Backpagepix
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