By NDINAWE SIMPELWE
LOCALLY based Chipolopolo players yesterday resumed training with only four from the 25 that were called missing from camp.
The camp was called to assess the progress of local players ahead of next month’s engagements in both the COSAFA Senior Challenge and the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea Bissau.
Acting Team Manager Stanley Kaseko confirmed that the team started the one-week assessment camp where Coach George Lwandamina took them through some recovery routines in the morning and afternoon at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
Kaseko said everyone had reported save for Zanaco players who were featuring for their team in the MTN-FAZ Super League against Mufulira Wanderers yesterday.
The Zanaco players are goalkeeper Racha Kola, defender George Chilufya and midfielders Salulani Phiri and Charles Zulu.
“Everyone has reported apart from those from Zanaco whom we are expecting this evening (last evening) after their game against Wanderers. The first day is usually just for recovery and that’s what happened. The players were just taken through the recovery process.
“Some players of course will be released to play for their teams on Wednesday, I think we have some league games,” said Kaseko.
Lwandamina has emphasised that there is need to have the core of the national team which should be made up of local players and that the foundation of the team was important as it would be easy to prepare for games and to bring in new call-ups.
Asked whether he had plans to include Nkwazi’s Steward Chikandiwa who is one of the local strikers doing fine, Lwandamina said the player will be given a chance at an appropriate time just like any other who would continue to impress.