MWEENE IS BACK
… ‘Micho’ calls veteran goal keeper for Cosafa
AFTER failing to find a perfect replacement for goal keeper Kennedy Mweene, Zambia national soccer team coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic has recalled the 2012 Africa Cup winner in his latest provisional squad to represent Zambia at the 2021 Cosafa Cup to run from July 7 to July 18 in South Africa.
Mweene whose Chipolopolo appearance was in November 2018 returns to the Chipolopolo set-up almost three years after he was involved at national team level.
However it remains to be seen whether the 36-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper will accept the call after he earlier noted that he was not ready to play for the Chipolopolo again until the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) “fix their things.”
“They asked me the same question ‘am I still available for the national team?’. For me, I told them we will see if I have to make a decision.... Look there are a lot of things the association must fix first," Mweene said after “Micho” had noted that the 2012 AFCON winner will have to prove himself if he was to be called for national team duty.
With Zambia’s hopes of making a historical World Cup qualification, “Micho” who plans to use the Cosafa to prepare for the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers has named a blend of youth and experience for the 2021 Cosafa Cup scheduled to run from July 7-18.
“Micho” has also recalled Zesco United defender Simon Silwimba, Power Dynamos’ Zachariah Chilongoshi and Red Arrows midfielder Felix Bulaya.
The Serbian has also summoned Napsa Stars promising youngster Jimmy ‘Zobrigo’ Mukeya following an impressive season with the FAZ/EDEN University bound Napsa Stars where he scored nine goals in all competitions, the Super League and the CAF Confederations Cup.
Other players making a comeback include Cape Town City’s Justin Shonga, Zesco’s Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba while notable players missing include the Simba FC duo of Cletus Chama and Larry Bwalya whose league is still active in Tanzania.
Zambia is drawn in Group B of the 20th edition of the 2021 Cosafa Cup with Madagascar, Malawi and Comoros.
The Chipolopolo will begin their title defence in Port Elizabeth on July 7 against Comoros with a clash against Madagascar three days later. The final group B match will be against Malawi on July 13. Full squad: GOALKEEPERS Kennedy Mweene (Mamelodi Sundowns – RSA), Gregory Sanjase ( Young Green Eagles), Cyril Chibwe (Polokwane City – RSA), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors).
DEFENDERS
Roderick Kabwe (Black Leopards), Isaac Shamujompa, Roderick Kembo (Buildcon), Simon Silwimba, Adrian Chama (Zesco United), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Kabaso Chongo ( TP Mazembe), Prosper Chiluya, Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Zachariah Chilongoshi (Power Dynamos) MIDFIELDERS
Spencer Sautu, Benson Sakala (both Power Dynamos), Felix Bulaya, Paul Katema (both Red Arrows), Salulani Phiri (Polokwane City – RSA), Collins Sikombe (Lusaka Dynamos), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Augustine Mulenga (Amazulu-RSA), Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba (Zesco United), Jimmy Mukeya (Napsa Stars) STRIKERS
Moses Phiri, Rodger Kola (both Zanaco), Gamphani Lungu, Supersport United-RSA), Brian Mwila (Buildcon), Justin Shonga (Cape Town City-RSA), (Friday Samu - Green Buffaloes)