By NDINAWE SIMPELWE –
ASSISTANT coach Irfan Kawri and left back Boyd Mkandawire returned to the Chipolopolo set up as 11 players reported for training yesterday ahead of next week’s double-legged Gabon 2017 Africa Cup qualifier against Congo Brazzaville.
The team that broke camp last week on Tuesday had light training at Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola under the watchful eye of coach George Lwandamina and his assistants Kawri and Kampamba Chintu.
Kawri was ‘given’ time off to sort out his personal issues since January and the Englishman was back yesterday looking busy with his duties while Mkandawire missed last week camp as he was attending to his sick mother, who was in hospital.
Players who reported included goalkeepers Jacob Banda and Lawrence Mulenga, defenders Dauti Musekwa, Donashano Malama, Mkandawire and Solomon Sakala, midfielders Mwape Mwelwa, Clatous Chama, Benson Sakala and strikers Patson Daka and Conlyde Luchanga.
Team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi said the rest of the players were excused as they were involved in their clubs’ FAZ Super league season opening matches over the weekend.
Kamwambi, however, said Zanaco players have been excused from joining the team this week as they were away in Zimbabwe over the weekend facing Harare City in the CAF Confederation Cup and needed time to settle and focus on their return leg on Sunday.
Zesco United players who are also preparing for the return leg against Horoya AC of Guinea took part in training.
Kamwambi said the technical bench did not expect foreign based players to report not until after Sunday as per FIFA regulations.
Meanwhile, GODFREY DUBE reports that Namibia coach Jacqueline Shipanga is looking to the old adage of home ground advantage to exact revenge on Zambia and reverse the loss suffered during the first round first leg of the Cameroon 2016 Africa Women Championship.
Shipanga admitted her team was beaten by a superior opponent but the Gladiators would try to use home ground advantage to reverse the score and advance to the next round.
Shepolopolo coach Albert Kachinga said his team is ready for another win over the Gladiators on March 18.
“We are hopeful for another win, just as I said, we have unfinished business of 90 minutes to play and a win is what I expect,” he said.
Team captain Annie Kibanji said the team had shifted focus to the return leg and not the win which was water under the bridge.
The two teams meet on Friday, March 18 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, with the winner of the two legs playing the victor of a ties involving Tanzania and Zimbabwe (1-2) for a place at the finals in Cameroon.