Chipolopolo camp in Ghana

Fri, 29 Sep 2017 09:44:22 +0000

…as Wada today names final squad for Nigeria clash

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

THE Zambia national soccer team will on Sunday leave for Ghana to set up camp ahead of its crucial Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria to be played in Uyo state, FAZ Communications manager Desmond Katongo has said.

In an interview with Daily Nation Sports in Lusaka, Katongo said the decision to camp in Ghana was due to Ghana’s geographical position.

Katongo noted that Ghana and Nigeria had similar weather hence the need for the Chipolopolo boys to set up camp in Ghana to get acquainted with the weather.

He said that national team coach Wedson Nyirenda will today name his final squad which will consist both local and international players.

“The team will set up camp in Ghana ahead of the critical 2018 Russia World Cup qualifier against Nigeria. The coach is expected to name his final squad today and the team will leave for Ghana on Sunday,

“The decision to set up camp in Ghana was arrived at after realizing Nigeria and Ghana’s similarities geographically. Foreign players that will be called for the crucial assignment will join the rest of the Chipolopolo members on Sunday in Accra Ghana were the team will set up camp,” Katongo said.

“On Wednesday the team will leave for Nigeria ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Uyo where the match will be staged at the God’s Will Akpabio Stadium,” he said.

The clash against Nigeria comes after Zambia recorded back to back victories over Algeria in the last round of matches in group B.

On Thursday Nyirenda’s 26 member squad broke camp for the players to feature in this weekend’s MTN/FAZ Super league matches before regrouping on Sunday for departure for Ghana.

Spartak Moscow striker Fashion Sakala is expected to make his return in the senior national team after serving his one game ban for his red card he earned in the game against Algeria recently at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Nigeria lead Group B of the 2018 Russia World Cup qualifier with 10 points while Zambia trails the Super Eagles on seven points with Cameroun lying third on three points while Algeria are stuck on one point.