Senior Chipolopolo face Gabon today

Sat, 03 Jun 2017 12:49:15 +0000

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA 

WITH some Zambians having lost faith in the senior Chipolopolo team, a win in today’s international friendly match against Gabon in Libreville will revive hope in the fans ahead of next Saturday’s 2019 Africa Cup qualifier tie against Mozambique.

Coach Wedson Nyirenda is using the friendly against Gabon as part of preparation for the qualifier match with Mozambique.

Zambia has continued to drop on the FIFA rankings with the latest grading seeing them hit 99th place in the world and 25th in Africa while opponents Gabon are 86th and 20th respectively.

Nyirenda said the friendly was important and the team will be playing for a win.

He said the team was ready for the task and was positive the new players will get the exposure needed. “I attach importance to every game, so it doesn’t matter whether it’s a friendly match. It is definite that a positive result is what we need though facing a tough side Gabon,’’ he said.

The two teams last met in a friendly at National Heroes Stadium in 2015 which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Nkana’s Ronald Kampamba will lead the frontline of Jonas Sakuwaha, Ignatius Lwipa, Justin Shonga, and Brian Mwila.

Fwayo Tembo, Stanley Nshimbi and Clatous Chama will command the midfield while the defence has the likes of Billy Mutale, Adrian Chama and Lawrence Chungu.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Allan Chibwe (Power Dynamos FC), Charles Mweemba (Lumwana Radiants FC), Kelvin Malunga (Nkana FC)

Defenders: Given Sinyangwe (Nkana FC), Adrian Chama (Green Buffaloes FC), Billy Mutale (Power Dynamos FC), Moonga Chilimba (Kabwe Warriors FC), Isaac Siamujomba (Nchanga Rangers FC), Lawrence Chungu (Power Dynamos FC), Mwila Phiri (Green Eagles)

Midfielders: Stanely Nshimbi (Red Arrows FC), Jackson Chirwa (Green Buffaloes FC), Collins Sikombe (Napsa Stars FC), Clatous Chama, Mwansa Nsofwa (Lusaka Dynamos FC), Godfrey Ngwenya, Fwayo Tembo (both Power Dynamos)

Strikers: Jonas Sakuwaha (Buidcon FC), Ignatius Luipa (Nakambala Leopards) ,Ronald Kampamba (Nkana FC), Justin Shonga (Nkhwazi FC), Brian Mwila (Green Buffaloes FC)