• GO WELL MR PRESIDENT: ZANACO coach, Aggrey Chiyangi leads his team in viewing the body of late President Michael Sata at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Thursday. Picture by JEAN MANDELA

By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
INJURY concerns have hit Zambia’s preparations for the crucial Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) must-win qualifier away to Mozambique this weekend.
Some senior Chipolopolo players, who include captain Stoppila Sunzu, picked up injuries at their respective clubs ahead of the team’s camping for the Mambas.
Apart from Sunzu, there is concern over the availability of goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene from South Africa Premiership side Mamelodi Sundowns as well as Switzerland-based holding midfielder Nathan Sinkala.
Sunzu, who is the Chipolopolo defence pillar, limped off on Friday night in French Ligue 2, Sochaux’s 2-1 home win against Gazélec Ajaccio after he complained of pain to the technical bench.
Sochaux coach Olivier Echouafni said after the game that Sunzu indicated to the bench that he felt a pain in his foot.
Sunzu was rested for Houssine Kharja after 61 minutes with his side leading 2-0 and walked off the pitch with a limp.
“(Houssine) Kharja was brought in for Stoppila Sunzu in the second half because, Sunzu came told us that he felt some pain in the foot and could not go on,” the Sochaux coach said.
It remains to be seen how fit the towering defender will be for the Mozambique game this Saturday as well as the Cape Verde return match four days later in Ndola.
But Sunzu is one strong defender and has previously played with a minor knock and still gave his all as the case was in the 2-1 defeat against Cape Verde.
Also in a similar predicament is dependable first choice goalkeeper Mweene, who even missed his side’s mid-week Absa Premier Soccer League game at home to Collins Mbesuma’s Mpumalanga Black Aces which ended 0-0 in South Africa.
For Sinkala, there is still no report on his return to fitness after sitting out unwell recently and only returned to training about two weeks ago.
But Chipolopolo team doctor Joseph Kabungo said yesterday that the three and any of the 27 players called to camp would have to report and that their injuries would have to be accessed in Zambia.
“I do not have a full medical report about any of the three but we shall be with them for over a week over the two matches and the gravity of their injuries or knocks will be accessed.
“And if turns out they can’t make it, too bad but if they can play, well and good but bottom line is that they have to report and we look at them,” Kabungo said.
The 13 locals called were last evening expected to enter camp at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lusaka and to be joined by the foreign based players soon after their weekend commitments.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) communications manager Nkweto Tembwe said that the players were expected in camp at 18:00 hours though coach Honour Janza gave them an allowance of up to 20:00 hours.
“But Emmanuel Mbola will be in Sunday and from the information I have, he will be the first of the foreign based players to join camp,” Tembwe said.
Full squad: Goalkeepers Kennedy Mweene, Danny Munyau and Toaster Nsabata.
Defenders: Stoppila Sunzu, Nyambe Mulenga, Davies Nkausu, Kabaso Chongo, Donashano Malama, Aaron Katebe, Chris Munthali, Emmanuel Mbola and Roderick Kabwe.
Midfielders: Changwe Kalale, Nathan Sinkala, Spenser Sautu, Shaderick Malambo, Rainford Kalaba, Chisamba Lungu and Charles Zulu.
Strikers: Bruce Musakanya, Patrick Ngoma, Emmanuel Mayuka, Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba, Evans Kangwa and James Chamanga.