By GWEN CHIPASULA –
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) president, Kalusha Bwalya has urged the Under-23 side to beat Nigeria and qualify for the All Africa Games and later on to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Kalusha said this at the Heroes National Stadium yesterday where Coach Fighton Simukonda unveiled his 18-member crack squad that leaves today for Nigeria for the AAG final round first leg qualifier match.
He said the team must aim at beating Nigeria at their home turf to stand a better chance of progressing to the finals in Congo Brazzaville in September.
“Go and aim at beating Nigeria so that you come and make it easy in the return leg. You should also aim at qualifying us back to the Olympic Games. Work hard and fly the Zambian flag high. Always remember to be proud when given such a responsibility of representing your country,” he said.
Kalusha challenged the players to be effective and efficient if they are to beat Nigeria and seal qualification.
He also consoled some Under-20 players that have been named in the squad not to be demoralised by their exit at the Africa Youth Championship in Senegal but should aim at always improving to be the best.
Kalusha said the players should be proud to have been among the eight teams that took part in the competition.
Apart from the AAG qualifiers, Zambia will also take part in the African Under-23 Championship which also acts as qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The African Under-23 Championship was initially set for Congo DR who withdrew owing to elections.
Meanwhile, Simukonda declared his charges ready to face Nigeria saying he had picked a good squad to qualify for the AAG finals slated for September.
Full team: Goalkeepers- Toaster Nsabata (Nchanga Rangers), Kenny Mumba (Red Arrows)
Defenders-Boyd Mkandawire (Napsa Stars), Salulani Phiri (Zanaco), Chishimba Changala (Zesco United), Billy Mutale (Power Dynamos), Bernard Mapili (Zesco United),
Midfielders-Larry Bwalya, Julius Situmbeko (Power Dynamos), Shadreck Malambo (Red Arrows), Nsofwa Mwansa (Kabwe Warriors), Kapota Kayawe (Kafue Celtic), John Ching’andu (Zesco United).
Strikers – Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba (Egypt), Patrick Ngoma and Moses Phiri (Zanaco), Spencer Ngalande (Nchanga Rangers), Spencer Sautu (Choma Eagles).
