. Musunka

By YVONNE SAKALA –
THE Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) national league takes a break this weekend as Ndola Wanderers Club hosts the Midlands versus Copperbelt Select tournament that has attracted about 55 players.
‘Men at Work’ Diggers coach Robertson ‘Plough’ Kangongwe will be in charge of the Copperbelt side and will be assisted by Mathews Kabeya of Chibuluma, while ‘Powerhouse’ Lusaka coach Joshua Lungu will take charge of the Midlands side and will be assisted by Red Arrows trainer Mwamba Chishimba.
Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) president Martin Musunka said the purpose of the competition was to pick a strong team for the various national teams.
Musunka said coaches should take the opportunity of the tournament to pick a strong 15’s and Sevens national team ahead of the various national team.
This promises to be an exciting tournament as the Copperbelt has players from Diggers like Beneya Mukwamba, Kabwela Mulenga, while the Midlands side that only has one player from Lusaka, Ali Bhika, have the likes of Nigel Chibwe, Terry Kaushiku from Arrows and Mado Nyirongo of Green Eagles.
Full squads-Copperbelt Select has Jason Thole, James Thole, Mwalula Sichomba and Chitambo Daka (Roan), Chama Mutiti, Gift Kabeya, Kennedy Bwalys and Moses Chanda ( Chibuluma) Jonathan Gondwe, Mulenga Kabaso, Kunda Mbaza, Kunda Kashiba, Wanza Phiri and Hazel Chabala (Ndola Wanderers).
Others are Patrick Lungu, Mutale Kabanda, Ian Chansa, Wanza Phiri and Maybin Mukosha (Mufulira), Kenneth Lukama (Konkola), Davies Miti, Alex Mulumbika, Andrew Milimo and Michael Mulapale (Kitwe Playing Fields), Fine Chikumbe, Kaluba Chilundami, Kabwela Mulenga, Patson Kasonde, Kafula Chishimba and Benaya Mukwamba (Diggers).
The Midlands Select has Danny Mukuka and Patrick Ngushi (Prisons), Nigel Chibwe, Terry Kaushiku,  Mcmanus Musonda, William Daka, Soto Kafwimbi and Chungu Siulapya (Red Arrows), Andrew Mwape, Wezi Chibale, Ronald Malipenga,  Macdonald Mashawa and Kalumbi Banda (Nkwazi).
Others are Owen Mwila, Fernard Kashimoto, Oscar Tondo and Stan Kalaba (Green Buffaloes), Ali Bhika (Lusaka), Thaddious Chipoya, Daniel Njovu, Emmanuel Musonda, Shadrick Kando, Mado Nyirongo, Chileshe Malama and Davies Kalunga (Green Eagles).