SELECT SIDE NAMED

SUN SPORTS writes @SunZambian THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced the team that will go up against the national team in tomorrow’s Chipolopolo vs Fans Select side. Recently national team head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s summoned over 30 players to camp ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers. As part of the preparations the Chipolopolo will meet up against the fan’s pick. FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala thanked the fans for expressing their knowledge of football through the selection of players. “To us this is the way to go and we want to thank coach Micho for being open minded and allowing fans to give him chance to also see other players. Having allowed the public to come in will give him an opportunity to pick other best players,” Kashala said. The Select side is being coached by Wedson Nyirenda, who yesterday unveiled an 18-man squad as selected by football fans across the country. Last week, FAZ and its partners MTN presented fans with an opportunity to select their best players that will turn up against Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s side at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka. Over 1,800 fans took part in the vote and Fans’ Select side coach Nyirenda unveiled the squad at Football House comprising three goalkeepers, four defenders, six midfielders and five strikers who received the highest number of voters. Entry to the stadium is free and the match will be beamed live by ZNBC. “I would like to thank the fans who took part in the selection of the team. We have very good coaches out there, who have been watching football and playing from the stands. I think that looking at the players that have been selected, there is a lot of potential and it shall be a very good game that we shall see on Monday,” Nyirenda said. “Despite a very short time of preparations, I believe in football we always say we are soldiers, anytime you call upon us we have to deliver, there is no excuse.” Chipolopolo assistant coach Oswald Mutapa said the technical bench agreed to the idea of playing the match because it will add value to the CHAN team. “If we are able to pick one or two players that we have not seen, then it makes our CHAN group very strong. Like we said we have agreed, because it makes our CHAN team very strong,” Mutapa said. “Like we said we agreed to this game because we have an open door policy. No player has his national team door closed and we will be happy if we get one or two players.” Notables in the team include the Zesco Football Club trio of Clement Mwape, Adrian Chama, Simon Silwimba while Nkana’s Harrison Chisala and Robin Siame of Green Buffaloes have also been selected by the fans. Others are Roger Kola of Zanaco, Power Dynamos’ Alex N’gonga, Emmanuel Mayuka of NAPSA Stars and Jimmy Ndhlovu of Kabwe Warriors. On the technical bench, Nyirenda will be assisted by Bilton Musonda and Stephen Mwansa while Linos Chalwe will be the Team Manager. FULL SQUAD GOALKEEPERS Allan Chibwe (Green Eagles), Fred Silwamba (Green Buffaloes), Charles Muntanga (Nkwazi) DEFENDERS Clement Mwape (Zesco United), Simon Silwimba (Zesco United), Fackson Kapumbu (Zesco United), Adrian Chama (Zesco United) MIDFIELDERS Robin Siame (Green Buffaloes), Spencer Sautu (Power Dynamos), Harrison Chisala (Nkana), Chisamba Lungu (Zanaco), Donashano Malama (Zesco United), Boyd Musonda (Zanaco) STRIKERS Roger Kola (Zanaco), Alex N’gonga (Power Dynamos), Jimmy Ndlovu (Kabwe Warriors), Emmanuel Mayuka (NAPSA Stars), Ernest Mbewe (Zanaco).