Zambia: Mbola Joins U-23 Squad

16 June 2011

DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo (DRC)-based defender, Emmanuel Mbola has joined the Zambia Under-23 squad preparing for Saturday’s London 2012 Olympic Games Africa zone qualifying football match against Algeria set for Nchanga Stadium in Chingola.

Mbola’s arrival brings the number of foreign-based players in camp for the return match to four, joining the Russia based Chisamba Lungu and Israeli duo Justine Zulu and Rodger Kola. The Junior Chipolopolo trail the Algerians 3-0.

Under-23 team manager, Jeff Chipilingu said in Kitwe yesterday that Mbola’s TP Mazembe team mate, Stopilla Sunzu was still being awaited, and so was Switzerland-based striker Emmanuel Mayuka.

Chipilingu reiterated that defender-cum-midfielder Sunzu, who is a pillar of the Mazembe side that is engaged in league play-offs is reportedly injured while Mayuka had to be cleared by his Swiss side Young Boys before joining the team that is camped at Kitwe’s Plot 35 Lodge.

The 18-year-old Mbola arrived on Tuesday morning and joined the junior Chipolopolo coached by Lucky Msiska, Bruce Mwape, Honour Janza and Osward Mutapa, in a routine late afternoon training session at Kitwe Playing Fields (KPF).

“They are holding on to him (Sunzu) despite having told them that we needed him so that the doctors here can also look at him. We are still waiting for him; we hope they will release him. Same applies to Mayuka.

“For now I think we are making do with what we have got. We are concentrating on the available players. If they (Sunzu and Mayuka) come then it will just be a bonus,” Chipilingu said.

Prior to Zambia’s 2012 Africa Cup qualifying match against Mozambique played two weeks ago at Nchanga Stadium, striker Given Singuluma also of TP Mazembe, joined senior team’s camp in Kitwe with a thigh injury and had to be taken to America Hospital in Lusaka for specialist treatment.

The Under-23 squad, comprising 22 players, took a morning off yesterday to reserve their energies for an afternoon training match with MTN Premier Division side Nchanga Rangers at Nchanga Stadium.

The players in camp: Goalkeepers: Allan Chibwe (Zanaco), Ken Muma (Red Arrows) and Lennon Muma (Nkana).

Defenders: Cosmas Kabanza (Zanaco), Derrick Mwansa (Nkwazi), Emmanuel Mbola (TP Mazembe, DRC), Gift Sakuwaha (Nchanga Rangers), Jimmy Chisenga (Red Arrows), Lawrence Chungu (Power Dynamos) and Stephen Kabamba (Zesco United).

Midfielders: Bruce Musakanya (Red Arrows), Chisamba Lungu (FC Ural, Russia), Henry Banda, Simon Silwimba (both Zanaco), Justin Zulu (Hapoel Rishon LeZion, Israel), Richard Kasonde, Rodrick Kabwe (both Kabwe Warriors) and Simon Chilupe (Konkola Blades).

Strikers: Alex Ng’onga, Felix Nyaende (both Power Dynamos), Lewis Macha (Nchanga Rangers) and Rodger Kola (Hapoel Rishon LeZion, Israel).

AllAfrica – All the Time