.JANZA
By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
NEWLY appointed Chipolopolo interim coach Honour Janza has summoned 26 locally based players for a three-day training camp in Lusaka as part of preparations for the 2015 Morocco Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
According to a statement posted on the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) website, the squad that regroups on Sunday sees long-term absentee Red Arrows goalkeeper Danny Munyau, who has been out of action after last year’s COSAFA Senior Challenge due to an injury, making a return.
Also making a comeback is Zesco United defender Nyambe Mulenga, who was part of the 2012 AFCON winning team, alongside striker Jackson Mwanza and Power Dynamos midfielder Richard Kasonde.
Janza has also handed first call-ups to Green Buffaloes goalkeeper Edson Phiri and midfielders Simon Bwalya of Nkana, Jacob Phiri and striker Josephat Kasusu both of Kabwe Warriors to the senior national team.
Other new faces in the team include defender Adrian Chama of Green Buffaloes with Evans Musonda of Red Arrows also making the shortlist.
Zambia begin her race to Morocco with a group F home tie against the Mambas of Mozambique on September 6, before visiting Praia for a tricky encounter against Cape Verde four days later.
The Chipolopolo will conclude the first half of qualifiers with an away tie against Niger before beginning the reverse fixtures at home against the West Africans on October 15.
The full squad includes goalkeepers Joshua Titima of Power Dynamos, Nchanga’s Toaster Nsabata, Munyau and Phiri.
Defenders are Jimmy Chisenga (Red Arrows), Alick Tembo (National Assembly), Chama (Green Buffaloes), George Chilufya (Nchanga Rangers), Christopher Munthali (Nkana), Mulenga (Zesco United), Rodrick Kabwe and Fackson Kapumbu (Zanaco).
The midfielder are Justine Zulu (Zesco United), Shadreck Malambo (Red Arrows), Kennedy Mudenda, Julius Situmbeko (Power Dynamos), Timothy Mbewe (National Assembly) Phiri (Kabwe Warriors), Musonda and Bruce Musakanya both of Red Arrows.
Moses Phiri (Zanaco) leads the strikers who include Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba (Nkana), Kasusu (Kabwe Warriors) and Mwanza (Zesco United).
