. Heroes Stadium

By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced that the newly built Heroes National Stadium in Lusaka will host two of the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. With the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium hosting the first qualifier against Mozambique on September 6, FAZ yesterday said that the last two home qualifiers in Group F against Niger on October 15 and the Cape Verde on November 19 will be in Lusaka in the new 60, 000-seater stadium. The two qualifiers at the Heroes National Stadium would be played on midweek (Wednesdays) and would be the first competitive matches played at the newly constructed stadium. This announcement is in line what FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya earlier stated that he would rather have some games be played in Ndola and other in Lusaka so both Copperbelt and Lusaka fans get a feel of the Chipolopolo. FAZ communications manager Nkweto Tembwe said yesterday that after the Mozambique home qualifier, attention for the remaining home ties would shift to the Lusaka. “It has been decided that some of Zambia’s 2015 Morocco Africa Cup qualifiers which are extremely important in this year’s calendar will be played at the new Heroes National Stadium in Lusaka. As earlier announced, the Mozambique game will be at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium but the games against Niger on October 15 and the game against Cape Verde on November 19 will both be played in Lusaka at Heroes,” Tembwe said. Meanwhile, Heroes National Stadium will next weekend host the friendly match between Zambia and Sudan.

…as Janza summons 25 for Sudan

By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
STRIKER Winstone Kalengo and defender Donashano Malama are among the 25 players Chipolopolo coach Honour Janza has summoned for next weekend friendly match against Sudan to be played at the Heroes National Stadium in Lusaka.
Janza has also included the four Power Dynamos players that were chased from the three-day training camp on Monday but there is no room for Zesco United midfielder Justin Zulu and Green Buffaloes goalkeeper Edison Phiri.
According to a list released by Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) communications and media manager Nkweto Tembwe yesterday, the list has seen a rare call-up for Kalengo with Fwayo Tembo maintaining his place.
The four Power players, who were chased for reporting late for camp, Joshua Titima, Kennedy Mudenda, Julius Stumbeko and Richard Kasonde are expected to report for camp tomorrow.
Janza has reminded all the players to stay focused and not to despair if not called back to camp.
“I must emphasise to you all that at any given time it is important that you keep yourself active and focused on making yourself a better footballer” Janza said.
He has reiterated his call for maximum discipline among the players that are representing the nation and that every player’s behaviour must be exemplary. Janza said any foreign-based player that would be around next weekend would be considered for the Sudan game.
Full squad has goalkeepers Danny Munyao, Joshua Titima and Toaster Nsabata while the defenders are Chris Munthali, Adrian Chama, Jimmy Chisenga, Nyambe Mulenga, George Chilufya, Roderick Kabwe, Fackson Kapumbu, and Alick Tembo.
The midfielders are Donashano Malama, Shadereck Malambo, Richard Kasonde, Fwayo Tembo, Bruce Musakanya, Julius Stumbeko, Kennedy Mudenda, Timothy Mbewe, Simon Bwalya and Jacob Phiri. The strikers are Winstone Kalengo, Moses Phiri, Josphat Kasusu and Jackson Mwanza.
Meanwhile, Banyana Banyana say they are excited ahead of tomorrow’s international friendly match against the Shepolopolo that will see both sides use the tie as preparations for the Namibia 2014 Africa Women Championship slated for Ocotber.
Banyana coach Vera Pauw, admitted that her side was not yet ready for the tournament but that the friendly match would be given the seriousness it deserves as it will give her the initial assessment of the team’s readiness.
“We are not hundred percent ready yet for the tournament, but we are on track. We need to work on getting fitter and stronger and with each friendly match we play we are moving towards that goal,” said the Dutch Coach.
South Africa will, however, be without midfielder Amanda Dlamini who suffered a knee injury in an earlier friendly match against Namibia at the Dobsonville stadium a fortnight ago but would be available for the AWC.
While Zambia is in Group A with hosts Namibia, Nigeria and Ivory Coast, Banyana Banyana have been placed in Group B with Cameroon, Algeria and Ghana with the top two form each group making the semi-finals of the tournament.
She-polopolo coach Charles Bwale said the match would be used to see how far ready his girls were ahead of the continental tournament.