Chambeshi talks strong squad, In-form foreign-based players and maximum support
By Jane Mwemba | August 20, 2019
Zambia Under 23 National team this morning held a training session at Barca Academy Zambia ahead of the September 4th Egypt U23 Africa Cup of Nations 1st leg qualifier against Congo Brazzaville. The training session comprised of locally-based players only as the Foreign-based contingent will join later on.
Head Coach Beston Chambeshi who drilled the boys has promised to come up with a strong squad that will take Zambia far in the tournament.
“We are happy with the players that have been called so we want to make sure come next week we come up with a minimal number, when it comes to foreign players we are happy with their performance abroad so we are looking at coming up with a strong team that can take us far in the tournament,” he said.
“We expect the foreign-based players to be in on the 31st of this month so that they join their friends here. The likes of Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala and Enock mwepu have been doing fine in their respective leagues in Europe not forgetting Edward Chilufya we hope they will add value to the team,” he added.
Chambeshi has called on the fans to give the team maximum support ahead of the encounter. Congo Brazzaville has been at the U23 tournament a number of times but Chambeshi is not worried.
” Yes have seen them play in this tournament, I think two years ago but that’s history. They are meeting us with a different team and approach, I know we need this game very much. We have to respect them and they also know this team (Zambia) it will be a good game. I hope and trust that we will have maximum support from our supporters,” he said.
South Africa based goalkeeper Bradley Mweene has been summoned for duty and Chambeshi is confident in the capabilities of the boy who is getting his first U23 call-up.
” The boy has been playing well and has been at U20 for some time we need those players to be called to U23. Mweene has proved to be a good goalkeeper all he needs is the support that’s why we have called him, ” he said.
Zambia hosts Congo Brazzaville on September 4 at National Heroes before trekking to Congo Brazzaville for the return leg four days later in Pointe Noire.
Winner over two legs will qualify to the AFCON to be staged in Egypt in November. The top three teams at the AFCON will qualify to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
UNDER 23 SQUAD IN CAMP
Coach: Beston Chambeshi
Asst. Coach: Bilton Musonda & Tenant Chilumba
1. Mangani Banda (Zanaco FC)
2. Lameck Siame (Kitwe United)
3. Kebson Kamanga (Zanaco FC)
4. Wayne Museba (Kabwe Warriors)
5. Field Kandela (Kabwe Warriors)
6. Prosper Chiluya (Nkwazi FC)
7. Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors)
8. Twiza Chaibela (Kabwe Warriors)
9. Siame Musonda (Lumwana Radiants)
10. Charles Muntanga (Nkwazi FC)
11. Jackson Kakunta (Power Dynamos)
12. Ponsilio Kampampa (Kabwe Youth)
13. Moses Nyondo (Nkana FC)
14. Kingsley Mukuka (Nkana FC)
15. Benson Kolala (Forest Rangers)
16. Bernard Kumwenda
17. Conlyde Luchanga (Forest Rangers)
18. John Chisala (Kafue Celtic)
19. Clint Lubula (Kansanshi)
20. Leonard Mulenga (Green Buffaloes FC)
21. Oliver Lubiya (KYSA)
22. Chrispin Sakulanda (Red Arrows)
23. Benson Chali (Forest Rangers)
24. Harrison Chisala (Nkana FC)
25. Bradley Mweene