Sven Keeps Faith in Mazembe Trio as he Unveils 24-Man Squad
Chipolopolo coach Sven Vandenbroeck has set the tempo for next Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home to Guinea Bissau at National Heroes Stadium by naming a strong 24-member squad.
During a media briefing at Football House, Vandenbroeck said Zambia needed a minimum of four points from the two back-to-back fixtures to keep their hopes of qualifying to the Africa Cup of Nations alive.
Vandenbroeck has made some minimal adjustments to the squad that played to a 1-all Group K qualifier against Namibia on September 8 and defeated Gabon 1-0 in an international friendly.
The Belgian has dropped Green Eagles’ Spencer Sautu, Gampani Lungu and Power Dynamos goal minder Lawrence Mulenga.
He said that Sautu had suffered from stiff competition while Lungu had not had any game time at his club since featuring for Zambia in Gabon.
“I left out Gampani Lungu (SuperSport United) because after the camping of Namibia and Gabon he had zero minutes in his club and that is the reason why although both (Spencer and Lungu) gave me a good impression in the first camp but I had to choose. You cannot always go with 26,” he said.
“I replaced one goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga who will be replaced by Charles Muntanga also because of lack of minutes in his club, so Charles deserves to be in the team.”
Vandenbroeck says his lads know the responsibility on their shoulders and will fight to be at the next year’s Africa Cup of Nations stressing that getting at least a minimum of four points against Guinea would revive Zambia’s chances.
“Everyone knows Mathematics, we all know that we are three points behind. That means, a minimum of four out of six to stay in the race, and six out of six to have an advantage over Guinea Bissau to have an open door to qualify,” he said.
The coach said that he had scanty information about Guinea Bissau but would focus on the strengths of his side.
“I have no information about Guinea Bissau, the only thing I know is that almost all their players are playing in Portugal which is a good league, which is very tactical so I expect a tactically difficult game,” he said.
On any possible shake up to his starting line-up Vandenbroeck was coy about it opting to leave any hints until after all his players have joined camp.
“In the starting line-up, let us wait and see what happens in the weekend, I do not think you need a lot of changes, you also need some consistency in the starting line-up,” he said.
He also expressed excitement at playing his first match before home fans at National Heroes Stadium.
“There is always pressure, and the home game makes it a little bit special because you have the advantage to play home. But do I feel extra pressure? No. We have to deliver in every game. Missing one or two games in a competition of six games makes it tough. There is no other option than four out of six or six out of six,” he said.
The Chipolopolo boys will host Guinea Bissau on Wednesday next week at 17:30 hours in a Group K encounter to be staged at National Heroes Stadium before facing the same opponent three days later in Bissau.
Zambia has one point with Namibia while Guinea Bissau are Mozambique are in joint top position with four points with the West Africans ahead on courtesy of a 2-2 away result in Maputo.
FULL SQUAD
(Goalkeepeers)
Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco), Charles Muntanga (Nkwazi), Kennedy Mweene (Mamelodi Sundowns)
(Defenders)
Solomon Sakala, Fackson Kapumbu (both Zesco United), Gideon Sichone (Green Buffaloes), Isaac Shamujompa, Lawrence Chungu (both Buildcon), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Stoppilla Sunzu (FC Metz), Kabaso Chongo (TP Mazembe-DRC)
(Midfielders)
Nathan Sinkala (TP Mazembe-DRC), Salulani Phiri (Polokwane City-RSA), Enock Mwepu (RB Salzburg-Austria), Jackson Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Lubambo Musonda (Gandazar-Armenia), Clatous Chama (Simba FC-Tanzania), Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe-DRC), Bruce Musakanya (Red Arrows)
(Strikers)
Augustine Mulenga, Justin Shonga (both Orlando Pirates-RSA), Fashion Sakala (Oostende-Belgium), Patson Daka (RB Salzburg-Austria), Lazarous Kambole (Zesco United)
(Source: FAZ Media)