. Lubambo

By FELIX MALUNGA –
CHIPOLOPOLO enterprising midfielder, Lubambo Musonda was at the weekend red-carded at his Armenia side, Ulisses as he signed off for national duty after he was recalled for Zambia’s two crucial 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Musonda was sent off on 73 minutes as Ulisses was handed the first defeat of the season, a 3-0 bashing at Mika. It was also the first time for the Armenian league leaders to have a player sent off this season.
Despite the loss, Ulisses still lead the chart with a runaway 10 points on 34 points from 13 league matches.
The 20-year-old starlet is among the 27 players coach Honour Janza has summoned for the AFCON qualifiers against Mozambique and Cape Verde.
In Turkey, snubbed Chipolopolo striker Jacob Mulenga scored in Adana Demirspor’s 2-1 win over Karsiyaka on Sunday to take his tally to seven in all competitions.
Chipolopolo midfielder Chisamba Lungu wrapped up his club duties on a disappointing note in Russia as FC Ural lost 1-0 at home to Kuban Krasnodar.
In Israel, recalled Chipolopolo striker Evans Kangwa and defender Emmanuel Mbola featured in their club Hapoel Ra’anana’s 1-0 loss to Hapoel Tel Aviv while their compatriot, Rodger Kola scored in Ironi Kiryat Shmona’s 3-1 victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva.
In the French Ligue 2, Zambia skipper Stoppila Sunzu limped off with a pain in his foot in the 61st minute as Sochaux beat Gazélec Ajaccio 2-1.
Midfield maestro Rainford Kalaba and defender Kabaso Chongo put in a full shift in TP Mazembe’s 3-2 win over FC Lubumbashi in the DR Congo league.
In the English Premier League, striker Emmanuel Mayuka watched Southampton beat Leicester City 2-0 from the bench as an unused substitute.
Chipolopolo first choice goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene sat out of Mamelodi Sundowns’s 1-0 semi-final loss to Platinum Stars in the Telkom Knockout Cup in South Africa.
Mweene is still struggling with a groin injury.
Zimbabwe-based defender Aaron Katebe played for 88 minutes in Platinum FC’s 1-0 away win over Hwange FC.
Katebe is among the defenders Janza has called for the weekend’s AFCON Group F assignment in Mozambique and next Wednesday’s fixture against Cape Verde in Ndola.