Beaumelle declares squad ready

By SANDRA MWILA –
CHIPOLOLOPOLO coach Patrice Beaumelle has declared the team ready to face Japan this weekend in an international friendly match and has also justified the inclusion of an injured James Chamanga in the squad.
Speaking after a training session at Barclays Sports Complex in Lusaka yesterday, Beaumelle said he decided to include the China based striker, who is carrying an injury, for him to train with his colleagues after missing out on some Chipolopolo matches.
Chamanga has a hamstring injury but was included in the final 22-member squad that leaves for Florida, United States of America today to take on Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup bound Japan.
“I picked on James because I want him to be part of the team and be with his friends before he goes back to China. He missed our last game against Uganda due to his club commitments and I felt it will be good for him to be with the team before he goes back,” he said.
Beaumelle said the decision on whether Chamanga will be named on the substitute bench will depend on the outcome of his results following his return to light training.
Meanwhile, Beaumelle emphasised on the need for the Chipolopolo to perform well in the friendly match against the Blue Samurai.
He said the match against Japan will accord him the chance to assess the players ahead of the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
“Our aim is to give Japan a tough match as they prepare for the World Cup but again help us see where we are ahead of the Africa Cup qualifiers. We missed out on the qualification but we shall give them a good send off match,” he said.
Beaumelle said while his aim was to win the match, he also wanted to have a look some promising Zambian talents as he builds a strong Chipolopolo squad.
He singled out Zambia Under-20 captain Lubambo Musonda as being one of the players for the future Chipolopolo and that playing against a side like Japan will help him get the exposure.

Times of Zambia

James Chamanga – {Photo credit The Post)