Zambia end honeymoon to tackle 2014 World Cup qualifiers

Published on: 23 May 2012

After basking in the euphoria that followed the historic 2012 Africa Cup of Nations triumph, the Zambia soccer team finally got back to business yesterday to commence preparations for next month's two crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Zambia had its first training session yesterday beefed up with five South Africa-based players who joined camp on Sunday night while Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s TP Mazembe players alongside James Chamanga from China are expected to join the squad today.

The Chipolopolo has set up a 10-day training camp in Johannesburg ahead of two tough 2014 World Cup fixtures lined up against Sudan on June 2 in Khartoum and Ghana a week later at the new Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Those who joined camp in Johannesburg are first-choice goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, veteran defender Joseph Musonda, Chintu Kampamba, Noah Chivuta and Isaac Chansa while Davies Nkausu and new call-up Aaron Katebe were also expected to boost the squad yesterday.

Others in camp for the intensive training programme are Kalililo Kakonje, Danny Munyau, Nyambe Mulenga, William Njobvu, Thomas Nyirenda, Joseph Sitali and Chisamba Lungu.

DRC-based players Rainford Kalaba, Hichani Himoonde, Stoppila Sunzu, Nathan Sinkala and Given Singuluma are expected to beef up the team today.

Skipper Christopher Katongo, who plays for Henan Jianye in the Chinese league, will only join camp at least five days before the Sudan clash.

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) spokesperson Erick Mwanza said coach Herve Renard was happy with the turnout of the players and also starting the preparations early.

Mwanza said Renard should have a complete squad by tomorrow to enable him assess the provisional squad before the match against Sudan, adding that the association wants the Chipolopolo to win each game.

"We realise the road to reach Brazil 2014 is not easy but tough. That's why we've started preparations early because we do not want to leave any stone unturned. We will aim at preparing adequately and win each game to have destiny in our own hands," he said.

He thanked the Government, through the ministry of Sports, for the overwhelming support they had given the team ahead of the two crucial matches.

Mwanza said though Zambia had never qualified for the global showpiece, the current AFCON winning squad was determined to break the jinx and reach the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

On the first training day at the University of Johannesburg yesterday, five South Africa-based AFCON winning players joined seven of their colleagues who flew in from Lusaka on Sunday.

Renard has summoned 26 players to the South Africa training camp before naming his 18-man final squad for the June 2 assignment in Khartoum against Sudan. He is expected to have a full house next week before picking his best 18 for the Sudan match.

Provisional squad:

Goalkeepers - Kennedy Mweene, Kakonje Kalililo, Danny Munyau.

Defenders - Davies Nkausu, Emmanuel Mbola, Stoppilla Sunzu, Chintu Kampamba, Hichani Himoonde, Aaron Katebe, Nyambe Mulenga, Francis Kasonde.

Midfielders - Nathan Sinkala, William Njobvu, Isaac Chansa, Thomas Nyirenda, Joseph Sitali, Chisamba Lungu, Rainford Kalaba, Noah Chivuta, Felix Katongo.

Strikers - Jonas Sakuwaha, Chistopher Katongo, James Chamanga, Emmanuel Mayuka, Rodger Kola, Given Singuluma.

Source: Allafrica.com

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