The Zambia national soccer team yesterday regrouped in Lusaka to prepare for this Friday’s international friendly against Malawi.And Malawi coach Kinnah Phiri has named the squad to face Zambia.
African champions Zambia will use the friendly billed for Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre as part of the preparations for the 2014 African Nations Championship qualifiers.
Team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi said in an interview that a 26-member squad comprising local players regrouped last evening at Lusaka Hotel.
Kamwambi said since the Super Division is on recess, the technical bench expects all the players to be in camp on time.
“We expect all the players including Zimbabwe-based defender Aaron Katebe to be in camp this evening ahead of training tomorrow morning (today),” Kamwambi said.
Katebe, who was also summoned for last month’s 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Ghana, plays for FC Hwange.
Meanwhile, Malawi national team coach Kinnah Phiri has picked 25 players who regrouped yesterday to start preparations for the match against Zambia.
The team will be camped at Chiwembe Technical Centre and will start training today.
There were concerns that the match might not take place but the Malawi government, who are the sponsors of the match as part of that country’s 48th Independence Day celebrations, have since given the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) the approval to organise the match.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu welcomed the development and said the match would give the Flames’ technical team a chance to assess local talent.
“The development comes as a relief because Zambia are the reigning African champions and the match will definitely help us prepare for the final round of the 2013 AfCON qualifiers in which we expect to be drawn against a continental giant,” he said.
The team:
Goalkeepers: Charles Swini, Richard Chipuwa, Amadu Ali
Defenders: Foster Namwela, Chapitapansi, Pilira Makupe, George Nyirenda, Steve Chagoma, Bongani Kaipa, Francis Mulimbika
Midfielders: Chinyama, Chimango Kaira, Masanjala, Frank Banda, Nafe Msasa, Joseph Kamwendo, Jester Mlima, Ndaziona Chatsalira, John Banda, Innocent Bokosi, Peter Pindani
Strikers: Gabadini Mhango, Rodrick Gonani, Harawa and Ishmael Thindwa.
