• CHIPOLOPOLO coach, Patrice Beaumelle (right) keeps a close eye on his players during yesterday’s first training session at the Barclays Sports Complex in Lusaka. Picture by JEAN MANDELA

By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA-
AFRICA Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, Isaac Chansa has been recalled to the Chipolopolo squad preparing for next month’s international friendly match in the United States against FIFA 2014 World Cup finalists, Japan.
Chansa returns to the Zambia soccer squad following his recent fine showing for MTN Premier Division League leaders, Zanaco after returning to fitness.
The 2012 AFCON gold medalist got back to fitness after shaking off a long-term injury.
Also back to the team after a long absence is midfielder William Njobvu while three other players who were not part of the initial squad summoned for the Japan assignment, have also joined camp.
After yesterday’s morning training session at Barclays Sports Club in Lusaka, Zambia coach Patrice Beaumelle said that he had decided to recall Chansa because he was a quality player who was back to fitness and available again.
“I watched Isaac on Sunday and he looks to be back to fine form. He scored two important goals and his contribution to the game was good. It is important to have him here in camp with other young players for inspiration. I also have William.
“I have watched Timothy Mbewe for a few weeks and I have seen he is always doing things for National Assembly so I called him. I know him very well and he has been here before so it’s all good,” he said.
The other two players called are the Zanaco pair of Mathews Macha and Augustine Mulenga.
Beaumelle also expressed happiness with the camp, saying it had a rare blend of three generations of players.
He said Pensulo was identified during the countrywide tours and that his call up was a sign that there was a follow-up on the players who were spotted and were in the development process.
Skipper Christopher Katongo, who is already in the country, has been excused from this week’s training programme to enable him attend to some other issues.
The other players in camp aside the new call ups are Toaster Nsabata, Joshua Titima, Danny Munyau and Edson Phiri as goalkeepers.
The defenders are Jimmy Chisenga, Christopher Munthali, George Chilufya, Adrian Chama, Hichani Himoonde, Fackson Kapumbu, Roderick Kabwe and Shadreck Malambo.
The midfielders are Kennedy Mudenda, Kondwani Mtonga, Justin Zulu and Felix Katongo, Julius Situmbeko, while the strikers are Evans Musonda, Moses Phiri and Pensulo Chanda.