By SANDRA MWILA –
FOUR Power Dynamos players are set to be axed from the national team after failing to report to the training camp for Sunday’s international friendly match against Egypt.
Christopher Munthali, Patson Daka, Benson Sakala and Kennedy Mudenda have not reported for the national team camp that regrouped on Sunday in Lusaka.
Chipolopolo team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi said after yesterday’s morning training session at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka that Power had not followed the standard procedure of releasing players for national duty when called upon.
Kamwambi said there had been no official communication from the club to explain the absence of the quartet despite being aware that the players were needed for national duty.
He said Power earlier had some reservations over the players joining the national team because of the MTN-FAZ Super League Week 27 game against Zesco United tomorrow.
Kamwambi charged that he informed Power that the normal procedure was for the players to report for camp and that issues of being released for league matches could have been dealt with by the Chipolopolo technical staff.
“A national team call up should be respected and honoured and if players willingly don’t join camp, then they have excused themselves for that particular assignment they have been called for.
“The coach is yet to make a decision on the Power players because there is need for players to prepare before the game,” he said.
But Power secretary Ricky Mamfunda said the players would only be released to the national team on Thursday morning after featuring in the league fixture against Zesco.
Mamfunda said Power had communicated to the Chipolopolo technical bench on their decision to hold on to the players.
“As you maybe aware the fixture is congested. The games that were meant to be played on Saturday have been brought forward to Wednesday. We have since made an appeal to the technical bench for us to release the players on Thursday morning after featuring in the Wednesday league game,” he said.
Meanwhile, seven foreign based players summoned for the international friendly against the six-time African champions, Egypt on October 11 in the United Arab Emirates are expected to start trickling into camp today.
The TP Mazembe duo of captain Rainford Kalaba and vice-captain Nathan Sinkala were expected in camp yesterday after featuring for their Congolese club on Sunday.
Kamwambi said arrangements were also being made for the South Africa-based players, Collins Mbesuma and Kennedy Mweene to join camp yesterday.
Chisamba Lungu and Stoppila Sunzu were also being expected from their Russia and France bases, respectively.
Kamwambi said Armenia-based Lubambo Musonda, who suffered a shoulder injury last week, was game for the Egypt friendly and travel arrangements have been done.
“We are making arrangements to have the seven foreign-based players summoned to come in the country and proceed to Dubai as a team to enable the coach assess them. Tentatively we leave for the game on Thursday or Friday,” he said.
The Chipolopolo are using the Egypt friendly to prepare for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sudan next month and the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Mozambique on October 17 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.