Mweene out of Japan friendly

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene has been ruled out of Zambia’s June 6 friendly against Japan.

Mweene will miss the friendly in Florida next Friday due to a hamstring injury he sustained last weekend on Sundowns duty away in Namibia during a friendly.

“I did not want to risk him as rushing him would have caused an aggravation,” Zambia coach Patrice Beaumelle said.

The battle for the number one jersey next week in Tampa will be between Nchanga Rangers’ Toaster Nsabata and Joshua Titima of Power Dynamos.

Meanwhile, Zanaco midfielder Isaac Chansa is set to mark his Chipolopolo return for the first time since the 2012 Africa Cup in Gabon.

However, club-mate and winger Roderick Kabwe will miss the trip to the USA due to a bereavement following the passing away of his mother over the weekend.

There are also two notable inclusions with Power Dynamos’ Under-20 midfielder Lubambo Musonda and Green Buffaloes defender Adrian Chama both making the 22-member traveling part on June 3.

Goalkeepers: Toaster Nsabata (Nchanga Rangers), Joshua Titima (Power Dynamos)

Defenders: Adrian Chama (Green Buffaloes),Jimmy Chisenga (Red Arrows), Stoppila Sunzu (Sochaux, France), Hichani Himonde (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa),Joseph Musonda (Golden Arrows, South Africa), Emmanuel Mbola (Hapoel Ra;anana, Israel), George Chilufya (Nchanga Rangers)

Midfielders: Kondwani Mtonga, Justin Zulu (Both Zesco United), Isaac Chansa (Zanaco) Nathan Sinkala (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Chisamba Lungu (FC Ural, Russia), Felix Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Lubambo Musonda, Kennedy Mudenda (Both Power Dynamos)

Strikers: Christopher Katongo (Unattached), Jacob Mulenga (Unattached), Emmanuel Mayuka (Southampton, England), Moses Phiri (Both Zanaco), James Chamanga (Liaoning Whowhin, China)