Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
George Lwandamina
George Lwandamina is confident there is enough time for Zambia to regroup and recharge for next month’s outing at the 2016 Caf African Nations Championship (Chan) in Rwanda.
Over half of the Chan team is composed of the Zambia under-23 side that has just come back from an unsuccessful campaign at the ongoing 2015 Caf under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.
The Zambia under-23 failed to impress in Dakar where they made a group stage exit and lost all three games to Tunisia (2-1), South Africa (3-2) and hosts Senegal (2-0).
“We have enough time before Chan starts. We have a month in-between and all we need is to prepare adequately and psyche them before the tournament,” Lwandamina said.
The senior players in the Chan team who were not eligible for Under-23 selection come up to six.
Striker’s Winston Kalengo of Zesco United and Festus Mbewe from Red Arrows, who both scored crucial goals in the qualifiers, are expected to lead Zambia’s attack in Rwanda.
Others are defender Buchizya Mfune of Green Buffaloes and the Zesco trio of goalkeeper Jacob Banda, right-back Dauti Musekwa and midfielder Mwape Mwelwa.
Zambia are in Group D at the tournament that will run from January 16 to February 7 where they will face Mali, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Chipolopolo will kickoff their Chan outing on January 19 in a derby clash against arch-rivals and perennial Chan campaigners Zimbabwe.
Zambia will play Uganda in both sides penultimate Group D match on January 23 before taking on Mali four days later.