By SANDRA MWILA –
DEFENDER Bronson Chama has been ruled out of the Chipolopolo squad preparing for the ongoing 2015 COSAFA Senior Challenge in South Africa due to a hip injury.
However, coach Honour Janza got a boost as AmaZulu striker Bornwell Mwape and Mwape Musonda of Orlando Pirates beefed up the squad that kicked off preparations at Heroes National Stadium ahead of the regional tournament.
Chama sustained the injury during the international friendly match against Malawi last weekend at Nkoloma stadium.
Team physiotherapist Gibson Chaloba said Chama was undergoing rehabilitation and will not be able to play at the COSAFA tournament.
“Bronson has been ruled out of the COSAFA tournament due to a hip injury and he is undergoing rehabilitation,” Chaloba said.
Other players on the treatment table include Mwape and midfielder Justin Zulu, who are nursing ankle injuries.
Chaloba said Mwape and Zulu have been put on light training and was confident of their full recovery before Zambia plays her quarterfinal match at the tournament.
“Bornwell and Justin’s ankle injuries are nothing to worry about as they are doing some light training and they will be ready for COSAFA tournament,” he said.
Meanwhile, 19 players including have reported for camp out of the 26 Janza has summoned to camp.
Team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi said Mwape jetted into camp on Sunday while Musonda has been in the country after the Malawi friendly.
The Chipolopolo are expected to leave for the North-West Province in South Africa tomorrow where they will join the competition at quarterfinal stage to face the winners of Group A on May 24. Group A has Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Mauritius and Namibia.
Full squad has goalkeepers Kennedy Mweene (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Danny Manyau (Red Arrows).
Defenders are Christopher Munthali (Power Dynamos), Bronson Chama (Red Arrows), Aaron Katebe (Platinum Stars), Emmanuel Mbola (Hapoel Ra’anana, Israel), Donashano Malama (Nkana) and Davies Nkausu (Bloemfontein Celtic, South Africa).
Kondwani Mtonga, Justin Zulu (Zesco United), Paul Simpemba (Kabwe Warriors), Jimmy Njobuv, Kennedy Mudenda (Power Dynamos), Nathan Sinkala (TP Mazembe, DR Congo) and Allan Mukuka (Green Buffaloes) complete the midfielders list.
The strikers are Jackson Mwanza (Zesco), Bornwell Mwape (AmaZulu, South Africa), Patson Daka (Nchanga Rangers) and Evans Kangwa (Hapoel Ra’anana, Israel).
SuperSport is showing live the ongoing tournament that will run from to May 30 in South Africa.
Marketing manager for Southern Africa Marlon Kananda said the Africa pay television channel will beam live all the matches on SuperSport channels SS4 and 9 as countries aim to dethrone Zambia as champions.