Bonetti summons 38 for Uganda
Bonetti summons 38 for Uganda 29.07.10
By DIANA MUTAKAFIMBOZAMBIA national team coach Dario Bonetti has summoned 38 players for the Uganda friendly scheduled for August 11, at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala.
Among the 38 players are 16 foreign-based and 22 locals that also include Zesco United defender Billy Mwanza, who last donned national colours in 2008.
Bonetti has called almost all foreign-based players that were part of the last African Nations Cup in Angola and the Switzerland duo of Fwayo Tembo and Emmanuel Mayuka.
Skipper Christopher Katongo of Greek side Skoda Xanthi is also part of the team.
Left out of the team are James Chamanga, Clifford Mulenga, Isaac Chansa and Collins Mbesuma, who were all at the Africa Cup.
Other professionals summoned are the South Africa-based legion of goalkeepers Kennedy Mweene and Kalililo Kakonje, midfielder Noah Chivuta and defenders Joseph Musonda and Kampamba Chintu.
The rest are Hichani Himoonde, Emmanuel Mbola, William Njobvu, Jacob Mulenga, Rodger Kola, Felix Katongo, Rainford Kalaba and Stopilla Sunzu.
Local players in the team are goalkeepers Racha Kola (Zanaco), Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Mike Poto (Green Buffaloes), Danny Munyao (Red Arrows).
Defenders are Mwanza, Nyambe Mulenga (Zesco), Jimmy Chisenga (Arrows), Dennis Banda (Buffaloes), Francis Kasonde (Power).
Midfielders are Joseph Sitali, Kennedy Mudenda (Power Dynamos), Kennedy Chola (Buffaloes), Rabby Lwambula (Nkana), Arthur Kaseloki (Zesco), Thomas Nyirenda (Zanaco), Maunga Kabuku (Kabwe Warriors).
Ignatius Luipa (Zanaco), Enock Sakala, Jackson Mwanza (Zesco), Felix Sunzu (Konkola Blades), Stanley Banda (Red Arrows) and Luka Lungu (Power Dynamos) make the strikers.
And under-23 team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi has been elevated to the senior team, replacing long serving manager Solly Pandor.
Football Association of Zambia communications manager Erick Mwanza, who announced the squad during a press briefing at Football House yesterday, said the local players will regroup in Lusaka on Sunday.
Mwanza said the Uganda friendly is part of the Chipolopolo’s preparations for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Comoros Islands scheduled for September 4, in Lusaka.
“In order to give the new coach and his staff a chance to see as many local players, we will have a Copperbelt versus Midlands match in Lusaka next week Wednesday. In line with FIFA rules and regulations, foreign-based players can only report at least 48 hours before an international friendly and five days before a competition or qualifier match,” he said.
Mwanza said in line with FIFA requirements, the foreign-based players will only join their local colleagues on August 8, ahead of departure on August 9.
Meanwhile, the under-20 national team regrouped last evening at the FAZ technical centre in Lusaka ahead of the Libya 2011 African Youth Championship second leg qualifier against Mauritius next weekend.
The team that beat Mauritius 1-0 in the first leg is expected to leave on Wednesday next week.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
