Wed, 31 May 2017 11:20:04 +0000
By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
TP Mazembe striker Given Singuluma has been named in the Chipolopolo squad that will face Mozambique for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group K qualifier on June 10 in Ndola.
This is Singuluma’s first call-up since Wedson Nyirenda took charge of the national team last September.
Singuluma last featured for the national team in 2015 at the Africa Cup in Equatorial Guinea under Honour Janza and was one of Zambia’s only two players who scored with Chipolopolo exiting the tournament in group stage.
Other foreign-based players named include first choice goal keeper Kennedy Mweene, Stoppilla Sunzu, Chisamba Lungu, Winston Kalengo, Collins Mbesuma and captain Rainford Kalaba.
The 29-member provisional squad will enter residential camp in Ndola on June 5 ahead of the Mozambique fixture.
Other Group K opponents are neighbours Namibia and stubborn Guinea Bissau.
Meanwhile, Nyirenda has hailed midfielder Chisamba Lungu for his disciplined attitude during the off season which has seen him succeed at his Russian club Ural.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Nyirenda stated that Chisamba has remained a dependable player at his club because of his discipline and hard work even without the instruction of a coach.
“He is a disciplined player, is one of those players that has been consistent with his career. During off season, he will do workouts in his own time. He doesn’t wait for his club assignment. No wonder he has been a dependable player at his club, and it’s no surprise that he is a captain at Ural,” he said.
He advised the young players to emulate Chisamba if they also want to succeed in their football career.
Nyirenda has ruled out defender Donashano Malama for the Gabon friendly match this Sunday due to injury.
“Preparations for the Gabon friendly are going on well. I think we are getting better each day and it’s a full house accept for Malama who is nursing an injury. He has been ruled out of Sunday’s tie. Cletus Chota is nursing an ankle injury, but hopefully will be fine later this afternoon,” he said.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Mamelodi Sundowns),Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco),Jacob Banda (Zesco United)
Defenders: Simon Silwimba (Zesco),Taonga Bweembya (Zanaco),Billy Mutale (Power Dynamos),Fackson Kapumbu (Zesco United),Ziyo Tembo (Zanaco)
Isaac Shamujompa (Nchanga Rangers),Stoppilla Sunzu (Arsenal Tula FC-Russia),George Chilufya (Zanaco),Mwila Phiri (Green Eagles
MIDFIELDERS: Kondwani Mtonga (Zesco United),Mischeck Chaila (Zesco United),Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe),Collins Sikombe (Napsa Stars),Clatous Chama (Lusaka Dyanmos),John Ching’andu (Zesco United),Chisamba Lungu (FC Ural-Russia),Fwayo Tembo (Power Dynamos),Stanley Nshimbi (Red Arrows),Augustine Mulenga (Zanaco)
Strikers: Dave Daka (Zesco United),Collins Mbesuma (Highlands Park-RSA)
Ronald Kampamba (Nkana),Winston Kalengo (AFC Leopards-Congo Brazzaville), Justin Shonga (Nkhwazi), Given Singuluma (TP Mazembe-DRC),
Jackson Mwanza (Zesco United).
