Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:16:34 +0000
By Grace Chaile Lesoetsa
I will put in the level best to assist the Chipolopolo team record victory against Algeria, says striker Fashion Sakala.
Speaking after the national team training session at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka yesterday ahead of Saturday’s 2018 Russia World Cup qualifier against Algeria, Sakala said playing for the national had always been his dream.
He said being in the national team called for hard work and he was looking forward to the game on Saturday.
“It’s my dream to be part of this squad and I give honour to God. I will not promise my fans anything but I aim to put in the best to help the team win,” he said.
Sakala said he was enjoying good form at Spartak Moscow side in Russia. “I am doing fine in Russia and aim to work harder. I owe everything to God,” he said.
And in a twist of events, Lusaka Dynamos midfielder Fwayo Tembo has rescinded his earlier decision to snub the Chipolopolo call up and reported for training yesterday.
Tembo had full training with the team but refused to comment on the matter. “I have nothing to say, no comment,” he said.
Tembo was scheduled to report to camp last Sunday but did not do so because he had said that he shifted focus to cementing his position at Dynamos.
Meanwhile, Nyirenda said he was under-pressure to come up with a final 23-man squad that will face the Arabs.
He explained that the provisional squad had many good players, therefore will not be easy to choose the team.
“It is always a headache for the coach when you have many good players, this is a strong squad. But this is our job and we will pick the right team,” he said.
He has however ruled out under-20 striker Edward Chilufya for the Algeria game to allow the player sort out his issues related to resident permit in Sweden.
“Chilufya is ruled out of this Algeria encounter as he has resident permit issues to sort out in Sweden. It would have been better if he was part of the squad,
“But I still have players that can fill up his position in the wings such as Fwayo, Augustine Mulenga and Ernest Mbewe,” he said.
Algeria is scheduled to arrive tonight at 21:00 hours at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
The Saturday’s clash will be played at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
