By GRACE CHAILE –

THE Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) will this weekend hold final national team selection trials to pick a team ahead of the Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) 2014 Africa Cup of Nations tournament set for Botswana.
ZRU executive committee member Moono Muleya said in an interview yesterday that the trials will see the Midlands Select side battle it out against their Copperbelt counterparts in a match to be played at Lusaka Rugby Club on Saturday.
Muleya said the match was being organised to assist the national team coaches come up with a strong side that should challenge for CAR Africa Cup of Nations title set for June 14 to 21 in Gaborone.
She said in an interview yesterday that the second leg of the trials will see players battling for places in the national team for the Africa Cup of Nations finals to be held from June 14 to 21 in Gaborone.
Muleya, who is head of competitions, said Copperbelt players should report for training today at the Diggers Rugby Fields in Kitwe under coach Robertson ‘Plough’ Kangongwe at 15:00hrs while the midlands side players are to report at Lusaka Rugby Club.
She said the players coming from Kabwe would be expected to train at the Green Eagles Rugby Club in readiness of the game.
The Midlands beat the Copperbelt side 22-7 when the two sides clashed in the first leg at the Ndola Wanderers Club.
The Copperbelt Select side has Jason Thole, James Thole, Jimmy Mvula, Mwalula Nyirongo (Roan), Chama Mutiti, Kennedy Bwalya, Steven Sikwela, Mwila Chileshe (Chibuluma), Alex Kaingu (Kitwe Playing Fields), Jonathan Gondwe, Kabaso Mulenga (Ndola Wanderers), Brian Chipanta and Ninon Zulu (Mufulira).
Others are Chisanga Jubelee (Nchanga), Fine Chikumbe, Beneya Mukwamba, Philip Kamanga, Kafula Chishimba, Chitala Chisenga, Billy M, Kabwela Mulenga, Ntubi Besa, Paston Kasonde, Kaluba Chilundami, Ackim Mushota (Diggers).
The Midlands Side has Chibesa Mwape, Nigel Chibwe, Mcmanus Musonda, Musonda Kabwe, Ernest Mwansa, Terry Kaushiku, Chungu Siulapya, Sapwe Chalwe and Ephraim Musukwa (Red Arrows), Larry Kaushiku, Owen Mwila and Fernard Kashimoto (Green Buffaloes).
The rest are Andrew Mwape, Lackson Mukosa, Ronald Malipenga, Peter Leshika (Nkwazi), Danny Mukuka (Prisons), Tedious Chipoya, Daniel Njovu, Emmanuel Musonda, George Mwape, Shadreck Kando (Green Eagles).
‘Powerhouse’ Lusaka has contributed Daniel Mwanza, Mazazi Mulakwa, Oscar Bwalya, Isaac Sakala, Kapindu Nyangu, Boyd Mkandawire, Charles Kapindu, Israel Kalumba and Musonda Chileshe.