By SANDRA MWILA –

. Nyirenda

JUST a week after the close of the Zambian football season, most players reported to the national team camp out of shape with a worried coach Wedson Nyirenda stating that getting them fit will now dominate the training programme.
Speaking after yesterday’s training session, Nyirenda said one-week rest the players got seem to have taken a heavy toll on them and that the technical bench will now devise a strategy at the weekend to overcome the challenge.
The technical team has just got about a month to ensure the players get fit for the African Nations Championship(CHAN) tournament which kicks-off in Morocco on o January 18.
He said the 2017 football season was intense for the players having played in a long 20-team league, and took part in cup games, international assignments besides the continental competitions for both the clubs and the country.
“After playing a lot of football this year, the one week break seemed to switch off some players.They looked sluggish and others have muscle problems,” Nyirenda said.
He however, expressed confidence the players will hit top form in the remaining weeks before CHAN.
“So, when we regroup next week, we hope to get the best out of them from the programme we shall set for them,” Nyirenda said.
He said he was still happy with the attitude and competition levels in the team ahead of the tournament as they all look to make it in the final squad that travels to Morocco.
“We need to do our best at the CHAN, we have not been doing fine at this tournament in the past,” Nyirenda said.
Nyirenda added that the team can only perform well at the CHAN if the technical bench’s plans and programs get implemented.
The coach further praised new call up Gamphani Lungu whom he says has a bright future.
“Gamphani is looking good, he has a long way to go and I like him because he is a fighter and a goal poacher,” Nyirenda said.
The team breaks camp today and are expected to regroup on Sunday.