Chamanga recalled, Mbesuma dropped

STRIKER James Chamanga bounced back into the Chipolopolo squad summoned for next week’s must-win Group F clash against Niger in the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying series.
Missing from the provisional 28-member squad called by coach Honour Janza yesterday are strikers Collins Mbesuma and Jonas Sakuwaha, midfielders Mukuka Mulenga and Felix Katongo, and defender Joseph Musonda.
Exciting Zambia Under-20 captain Lubambo Musonda, who plays for Armenian side, Ulisses, and Evans Kangwa of Hapoel Ra’anana in Israel have equally been left out of the team.
Joining Chamanga is Southampton benchwarmer Emmanuel Mayuka, who made his first appearance this season as a substitute on Saturday in the Saints 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Chipolopolo captain Christopher Katongo has shockingly made the squad despite struggling at BidVest Wits and there is also room for left back Emmanuel Mbola and striker Jacob Mulenga, who scored in the 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde, has kept his place.

Janza has also summoned five Under-20 players to the team that has 11 foreign based players and the local squad will be expected to regroup in Lusaka today. The Under-20 stars are Larry Bwalya, Charles Zulu, Patrick Ngoma, Kapota Kayawe and Boyd Mkandawire.
Local players expected to start camping today include Danny Munyau, Joshua Titima, Rodrick Kabwe, Donashano Malama, Christopher Munthali, Nyambe Mulenga, Fwayo Tembo, Shadreck Malambo, Bruce Musankanya, Humphrey Maseneko, Julius Situmbeko and Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba.
Katongo leads the foreign legion that includes Mbola, Stopilla Sunzu, Kabaso Chongo, Nathan Sinkala, Given Singuluma, Rainfold Kalaba, Chisamba Lungu, Jacob Mulenga, Chamanga and Mayuka.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) communications manager Nkweto Tembwe said yesterday that the foreign based players were expected to link up with the squad after playing for their respective clubs at the weekend.
Tembwe said players that have not made the list have not been retired as they may still be called.

Zambia is third in Group F with a solitarily point picked up in the 0-0 draw against Mozambique before suffering a 2-1 defeat to leaders Cape Verde, who top the group with six points and will face Mozambique who have two points while Niger is on one point.
The October 11 and 15 fixtures will see the Chipolopolo play Niger away before hosting their opponents at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on the same dates that will see Mozambique playing Cape Verde.

Times of Zambia