NO PRESSURE, SAYS CHAMBESHI
ZAMBIA national team coach Beston Chambeshi is confident that the Chipolopo will beat Equatorial Guinea in next month’s Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
Zambia will face Equatorial Guinea on October 7 before hosting their group B rivals three days later at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Chambeshi said the Chipolopolo are not under pressure because everyone in the team is determined to ensure that they pick maximum points in the World Cup qualifiers.
Speaking after yesterday’s training session, Chambeshi emphasised the need for the fans to believe in the team, noting that he was happy with the response from the players who reported for camp on Monday.
On the injured Nkana star Harrison Chisala, Chambeshi said "Harrison Chisala is a hardworking player And he was one of the players on our list but unfortunately he has a knock but we have communicated with the medics for them to work on him. Hopeful he will recover before we come back."
On the prospects of Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka missing the home fixture against Equatorial Guinea, the coach said; "That's an issue we are still looking at and are discussing as a technical staff to look at which plan B we will take. We have manpower and we are hoping Mwepu and Patson will join in the second leg.
Chambeshi has named a 24man squad for next month’s qualifier against Equatorial Guinea.
He has named nine foreign-based players in the squad including Arsenal Tula striker Evans Kangwa and midfielder Larry Bwalya who make their return to the national team.
Full squad:
GOALKEEPERS
Mwenya Chibwe (Baroka FC - RSA), Gregory Sanjase (Zesco United), Lameck Siame (Zanaco).
DEFENDERS
Benedict Chepeshi, Prosper Chiluya (Red Arrows), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Simon Silwimba, Solomon Sakala (both Zesco United), Tandi Mwape ( TP Mazembe - DRC), Isaac Shamujompa, Peter Kalota (both Zanaco)
MIDFIELDERS
Enock Mwepu (Brighton and Hove Albion - England), Lubambo Musonda (AC Horsens - Denmark), Dickson Chapa, Kelvin Kampamba (both Zesco United), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Felix Bulaya (Red Arrows), Clatous Chota Chama (RS Berkane - Morocco), Larry Bwalya (Simba SC - Tanzania)
STRIKERS
Fashion Sakala (Rangers - Scotland), Patson Daka (Leicester City - England), Brian Mwila (Buildcon), Moses Phiri (Zanaco), Evans Kangwa (Arsenal Tula).