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NKANA striker Walter Bwalya is targeting a position in the national team.
Bwalya, who has scored six goals this season, is the only debutant among the 23 local players that have been summoned for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya on September 6.
The Chipolopolo will also face Gabon in an international friendly on September 8.
Bwalya said from Kitwe on Sunday that he will summon his energy to ensure he earns a position in the Chipolopolo.
He also clarified his nationality saying he is a Zambian and holds a National Registration Card (NRC).
“I am very happy to be called to the national team. It is always a great thing to be part of the national team and I will work hard. I am a Zambian, my mother is from Congo and my father is Zambian. I have a green NRC,” Bwalya said.
Bwalya, Mufulira Wanderers midfielder Jacob Ngulube and the Power Dynamos quartet of Christopher Munthali, Benson Sakala, Kelvin Mubanga and Patson Daka were expected in camp yesterday.
Power were on Sunday engaged in a Super Division Week 20 match against Nakambala Leopards which the Kitwe side won 2-0.
Team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi said in an interview after a morning training session at Lusaka’s National Heroes Stadium yesterday that 17 players entered camp on Sunday evening.
Bwalya and Ngulube are nursing injuries but have been asked to report for camp.
“The two players have injuries but we asked them to come so that they can be assessed by our medical bench. We are expecting them together with the players from Power this afternoon [yesterday],” he said.
Kamwambi said the team will break camp on Thursday and regroup on Sunday and the foreign-based players will be named this week.
Meanwhile, Football Association of Zambia executive committee member Happie Munkondya said the national soccer governing body has done a search on Bwalya’s nationality.
“Walter is a young, talented and enterprising player and we would not want any pressure to be directed at him. He has been given an opportunity by the coach to showcase his skills at national level and if he can add value to the Chipolopolo, he will be given an opportunity. We need to allow him to continue to impress at his club and add the desired impact,” Munkondya said.
