Chipolopolo names squad for Zim friendly

African champions' coach Herve Renard has named a 24 man squad for the international friendly match against Zimbabwe in Ndola.

The Zambia Development Team, also known as the CHAN Team plays Zimbabwe in an international friendly on 8 August at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium in Ndola.

FAZ Spokesperson Erick Mwanza told a media briefing at Football House that "the game is in line with FAZ's stated policy of continuously exposing local league players to the rigours of national team training and international football."

"This match is not on a FIFA international date for friendly matches. It means therefore that we will only have a compliment of players from our local league. This will be the third match our Development or CHAN Team will be playing this year after the games against Angola and Malawi," Mwanza said.

"We will continue with this policy of playing on FIFA dates and non FIFA dates because it is very beneficial to our players and our national team development. Besides that, we have CHAN qualifiers next year and so it's important that even outside these continental tournaments, we have a squad that is ready for any challenge."

"After the Zimbabwe match, the Chipolopolo squad called for Korea will leave the following weekend for Seoul for another international match, this one on a FIFA international date against former FIFA World Cup semi-finalists, South Korea on Wednesday 15th August. We must note the difference between the Chipolopolo which is the African champion team and the Development but we should never fear the challenge of playing anywhere and anytime because our players must always be ready to step up to any challenge," he said.

Mwanza said the team called for the Zimbabwe game was particularly interesting as Renard had called Godfrey Ngwenya of Kalonga High School. Ngwenya, born on 22nd June 1996, is a defensive midfielder competing for Central Province in the ongoing Airtel Rising Stars.

The final of the Rising Stars will be contested on Thursday at the Barclays Sports with Central Province taking on Southern Province. The games will be live on SuperSport channel 209.

Kalililo Kakonje, Joshua Titima, Racha Kola, ,Jimmy Chisenga, Nyambe Mulenga, Steven Kabamba, Charles Siyingwa, Gift Sakuwaha, Michael Bwalya, Thomas Nyirenda, Joseph Sitali, Bruce Musakanya, Henry Banda, John Chingandu, Lewis Macha, Mwepya Kasongo, Venecious Mapande, Jackson Mwanza, Evans Kangwa, Winston Kalengo, Moses Phiri, Reynold Kampamba, Aaron Katebe, Godfrey Ngwenya.

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