By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

THE Chipolopolo have risen five placed on the FIFA-Coca-Cola football ranking and are now 67th in the world.

Furthermore, the George Lwandamina coached side has gained two places on the African continent to 15th from the previous 17th.

The rise is despite a month of inactivity but will be a great boost to the players who this morning were scheduled to leave for South Africa to camp ahead of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in Rwanda.

On the continent, Ivory Coast has continued as the leader and followed by Algeria, Ghana and Cape Verde with Tunisia completing the top five.

And Zambia’s opening group game opponents at the CHAN Zimbabwe, are sweating over lack of international friendly matches ahead of the tournament that kicks off next weekend.

Zimabbwe coach Calisto Pasuwa told The Herald that lack of preparatory matches for his senior team is a cause for concern ahead of CHAN 2016 in Rwanda.

The Warriors have been in camp since Boxing Day but with just 10 days before the tournament Kicks off, the they are yet to test any of their combinations in a match set up.

A friendly against Cameroon before Christmas was shelved off after Warriors broke camp amid chaotic scenes that saw the coach fired before he was reinstated two days later.

There has been talk of friendlies being lined up against Mozambique and Ethiopia but with time running out nothing has materialised.

Zimbabwe may just face Zambia on January,19 without a friendly match played.

Chipolopolo have already shown seriousness on the tournament after setting up their training camp in South Africa and lined up numerous friendlies and not to be outdone is the impressive Uganda which will go into the tournament with plenty of zeal following their triumph in the CECAFA cup.