• THE Chipolopolo check in at Ramada Hotel in Congo Brazzaville yesterday.

By SANDRA MWILA and  SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
THE Chipolopolo yesterday jetted into the Brazzaville battle zone for tomorrow’s 2017 Africa Cup of National (Afcon) qualifier against Congo Brazzaville where the team was greeted with hostilities which included a sub-standard hotel that was rejected.
Anticipating hostilities that forced Sports Minister Vincent Mwale to travel with the team, Zambia were upon arrival offered Safire Hotel which the Zambian delegation found to be below the CAF stipulated five-star hotel for a game of such nature.
After rejecting Safire Hotel, the Zambian delegation was moved to an acceptable Ramada Hotel where the team checked-in without hesitation.
With that done, the next battle was to get security for the entire Zambian delegation owing to the unstable political situation in that country.
The Congolese authorities were not having any of that, as the Zambian crew was left unmanned.
Next up was the training pitch and despite being told that the Chipolopolo would be able to train at 15:30 hours, they were not told where they would be training from, which forced the players to be holed up in their hotel rooms.
Delegation leader Lee Kawanu expressed happiness that most of the storm was calm and that the players were not affected by the events.
“All seems to be well now, though we are still struggling to get any assistance on issues of a training ground. They are not giving us a clear answer. Otherwise, the place seems calm and the guys are focused on the task ahead,” Kawanu said.
The task ahead will be the must-win 2017 Africa Cup qualifier at Massemba- Debat Stadium tomorrow against Congo whom Zambia shares the top slot with on five points, though Zambia trail on goal difference.
The team arrived in Congo around 08:45 hours and were received by protocol officer at the Congolese Football Association, Ben Koussakana.
Sixty fans have also travelled with the team to Congo to boost the morale after Zambia were held to a 1-1 draw at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The full squad that travelled has goalkeepers Kennedy Mweene, Jacob Banda and Racha Kola, while the defenders are Stephen Kabamba, Stopilla Sunzu, Buchizya Mfune, Adrian Chama and Davies Nkausu.
The midfielders are Lubambo Musonda, Cletus Chama, Spencer Sautu, Isaac Chansa, Rainford Kalaba, Benson Sakala, Nathan Sinkala, Salulani Phiri and Jack Chirwa, with the forwards being Christopher Katongo, Conlyde Luchanga, Collins Mbesuma, and Winston Kalengo.