CHIPOLOPOLO midfielder Nathan Sinkala has said the various nominations and awards that Zambian players have continued to get on the continent is inspiring to upcoming players.

Sinkala, who was one of the revelations at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals, said in an interview that it was encouraging to see players like Stoppila Sunzu and Rainford Kalaba battling it out for the Confederations of Africa Football (CAF) Player-of-the-Year award (for players based in Africa).

Sunzu and Kalaba will this evening battle it out for an award along with Egyptian Mohammed Aboutrika with Herve Renard in the running for Coach-of-the-year award while Zambia has been nominated for the Team-of-the-Year award.

The annual 21st edition of the CAF Awards and the Awards Gala will take place in Accra, Ghana tonight where various winners would be announced including the 2012 African Player-of-the-Year.

Sinkala, who is teammates with Sunzu and Kalaba at TP Mazembe, said in an interview at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka yesterday that the nominations that have befallen the Chipolopolo players were a motivating factor for them to aim high.

"It is a good thing to see Zambian players being nominated for the awards as that gives us upcoming player's motivation to aim high and I am happy for my teammates," he said.

And Sinkala described his first season at Mazembe as encouraging and was looking forward to another successful campaign with the former African Champions. He said he had a rough start but settled in quickly and was enjoying himself.

"I enjoyed myself and I wish I can have another great season with Mazembe. Of course it's always tough when starting but I settled in quickly and had a good season," he said.