.Patrice Beaumelle

By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

ZAMBIA soccer team coach Patrice Beaumelle has urged local players to work hard and fight for places in the Chipolopolo.
Beaumelle said this in an interview after a training session for local players ahead of the March 15 international friendly match.
Chipolopolo captain Christopher Katongo, currently training with MTN-FAZ Premier League side Green Buffaloes, was among the 19 players that were found at the Barclays Sports Complex during the 08:00 hours training session yesterday.
The next training session was set for 16:00 hours in the afternoon as Beaumelle, who has summoned 24 players, waits to hear from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) on which team the Chipolopolo will play on the FIFA designated international date.
Beaumelle challenged the players to take the camping serious as it was good for their chances to break into the Chipolopolo as well as getting ready for the start of the 2014 Zambian football season.
He said the training camp was the perfect way to assess the players’ fitness and their will to be in national team.
Beaumelle thanked the player’s respective clubs for being helpful in putting up the camp despite it coming at a crucial stage of their pre-season preparations.
Assistant coach Chintu Kampamba expressed happiness with the zeal exhibited by the players saying it was a successful first day of training.
“Yes, we trained in the morning. The response was good from the players. Christopher Katongo  has joined us and was part of training,” Chintu said.
FAZ spokesperson Erick Mwanza last week said the camp was a perfect opportunity for the coach to look at some players who will be making their first appearance in the Zambia team camp.
Mwanza said players from Nkana and Zesco United have been excluded to enable them concentrate on their CAF Inter-club championships.
Players called to camp include Toaster Nsabata, Danny Munyau, Joshua Titima, Jimmy Chisenga, Allan Mukuka, George Chilufya, Bronson Chama, Salulani Phiri, Simon Tembo, Rodrick Kabwe and Fackson Kapumbu.
The rest are Misheck Chaila, Shaderick Malambo, Evans Bweembya, Godfrey Ngwenya, Kennedy Mudenda, Julius Situmbeko, Lubambo Musonda, Nsofwa Mwansa, Stanley Nshimbi, Christopher Katongo, Patson Daka, Moses Phiri and Evans Kangwa.