By MICHAEL MIYOBA
CHIPOLOPOLO will seek to end the year on a positive note by beating Israel when the two sides face off in an international friendly billed for the Hamosheva Stadium in Tel Aviv.
The Chipolopolo, under caretaker coach Moses Sichone are using the friendly to prepare for the Africa Cup qualifiers slated for next year in March.
Zambia will be without 2012 AFCON winning defence kingpin Stoppila Sunzu who has been ruled out due to Covid-19 restrictions in China where he features for Cangzhou Mighty Lions FC. The Chipolopolo are also without striker Fashion Sakala and Frankie Musonda who are nursing injuries while the Tanzanian duo of Cletus Chama and Moses Phiri were not released by Simba SC but Sichone is not worried as he believes in the players who are available to face the Israelies.
“It is unfortunate Fashion Sakala and Frank Musondsa are injured and over Sunzu it is unfortunate, you know the situation with the Covid because we were looking forward to have him here but the situation that side (in China) is not allowing but I trust the players who are here they will be able to deliver and fill in those positions,” Sichone said.
He urged the Chipolopolo led by Leicester City striker Patson Daka, Lameck Banda, Edward Chilufya, Emmanuel Banda, Larry Bwalya, Kings Kangwa, Lubambo Musonda, Rodrick Kabwe, Tandi Mwape, Luka Banda, Dominic Chanda and others to beat Israel for Enock Mwepu and the Zambians who have seen the team struggle to qualify for the last three AFCON tournaments.
Meanwhile, Daka said the game against Israel is crucial as they prepare for the next round of AFCON qualifiers.
For Lameck Banda, who last weekend became the first Zambian to score a goal in the Italian Serial A, the game against Israel presents a great opportunity for him to keep on working hard to make positive contributions to the Chipolopolo.
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