By GWEN CHIPASULA –
THE Zambia Basketball Association (ZBA) has named a provisional 32-member squad for the Afro Basketball qualifiers which will be held in Zimbabwe next month.
ZBA vice-president south, Conrad Musonda said the team had already commenced preparations for the Afro Basketball qualifiers set for February 21-25.
Musonda said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the association had selected 12 players from the Copperbelt and 20 from Lusaka.
“Training commenced two months ago and players will have to work hard in order to secure a spot on the final list which will come to 12 men,” Musonda said.
Coach Cuthbert Tembo is drilling the team with assistance from Brian Nsama and Mwape Konsolo.
Zambia has been grouped with defending champions Angola, South Africa and hosts Zimbabwe.
Musonda urged the players to work hard if Zambia was to qualify for the Afro Basket Championships and 2015 All Africa games.
The players from the northern region (Copperbelt) are Kabwe Fundala, Bongani Zulu, Saviour Mutale, Shambona Kapopa, Zaninge Simwaba, Aggripa Chama, Kansoni Luwawa, Micheal Kaungu, Douglas Mushitu, Emmanual Chiundaponde, Henry Kabungo and Cletus Kafula.
From the southern zone (Lusaka) are Gosa Hamudulu, Songiwayo Mwanza, Zawalika Daka, Chansa Mufwaume, Candy Musukwa, Fred Kaela, Mate Lisimba, Obert Muleza and Simukwela Lubinda.
The rest are Richard Sakala, Baron Kabwe, Chongo Chona, Paul Kashishi, Jermaine Mauwe, Abraham Mwansa, Francis Kamadisa Sinyinda, Likando Namakando, Titus Ndhlovu, Francis Chibesa and  Patson Siame.