Kickoff (Cape Town)
5 September 2008
Mamelodi Sundowns Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma was today part of the Chipolopolo squad's first training session on the Copperbelt Province after the team shifted its camping base from Lusaka.
Mbesuma joined the Chipolopolo squad which has set its training base in Kitwe last evening for Wednesday's mouth-watering Group 11 joint 2010 World\Africa Cup of Nations clash against Togo together with skipper Christopher Katongo formerly of Jomo Cosmos now with Germany side Arminia Bielefeld and former Orlando Pirates midfielder Isaac 'Gattuso' Chansa, who plies his trade for Swedish side Helsingborgs, also joining the Zambian team yesterday.
Katongo was the first one to join earlier in the day while Sweden-based Chansa and forgotten burly striker Collins Mbesuma joined later in the evening.
Many Zambian fans believe Mbesuma can find the back of the net even if he last had competitive game time in November last year.
In an interview with KickOff.com Mbesuma said the match against Togo will be tough.
"The match won't be easy but as a striker my task is to score and I want to score again, like I did the last time when I played for Zambia at Konkola," Mbesuma said in reference to the Chipolopolo's 1-1 draw with Chad in June last year.
Striker Jacob Mulenga, of French Second Division side Chateauroux ,also joined the team's training session this morning after arriving late last night, while attacking midfielder Rainford Kalaba, of Portuguese side Gil Vicente, is expected to join the Zambian camp as the last member of the team this evening.
Midfielder Chansa, who is recovering from an injury sustained in action for his Swedish outfit Helsingborgs, is hopeful that he will have fully shaken off the effects of the torn muscle in time for the match against the Togolese Hawks.
'Togo is a good side and we respect their players who play for big teams but, on Wednesday it will be 11 against 11. It will be a difficult match, but there is no other way out for us but to win," Chansa, said.
And skipper of the side Katongo says a win is a must as the country mourns the late Republican President Levy Mwanawasa.
"A win over Togo will remove the tears in the eyes of Zambians who are mourning our late President Mwanawasa," he said.
He added that Zambia cannot afford to lose twice to Togo. The Hawks beat Zambia 1-0 courtesy of a Olufade Adekanmi strike on May 31, in Accra.
"We do not fear them just because they beat us in Accra. They will be 11 and we will also be 11 and fighting for one ball," Katongo said.
Zambia and Swaziland lead Group 11 with four points apiece while Togo has three points.
Players already in camp are:
Goalkeepers: Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Bob Banda (Roan United) Kalililo Kakonje (Amazulu), Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars)
Defenders: Francis Kasonde (Power Dynamos), Clive Hachilensa (Carcas Kicks) Elijah Tana (Nchanga Rangers) Joseph Musonda (Lamotville Golden Arrows), Chintu Kampamba (clubless), Hichani Himonde (Lusaka Dynamos), Davies Nkausu (SuperSport United)
Midfielders: Henry Banda (Zanaco) Felix Katongo (Stade Rennes, France), Noah Chivuta (SuperSport United) Isaac Chansa (Helsingborg IF, Sweden),
Strikers: Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors) Francis Kombe (Power Dynamos), Christopher Katongo (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Rodger
Kola (Zanaco) James Chamanga (clubless), Collins Mbesuma (Mamelodi Sundowns), Collins Mbesuma (Sundowns), Jacobn Mulenga (Chateauroux, France)
Player yet to join: Rainford Kalaba (Gil Vincente, Portugal)
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