CHIPOLOPOLO skipper Rainford Kalaba and four other foreign-based players have joined camp ahead of  Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifier against Congo Brazzaville at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

First choice goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene and striker Winston Kalengo are expected to arrive on Monday night.

The TP Mazembe contingent of midfielders Kalaba and Nathan Sinkala, and defender Kabaso Chongo as well as the South African duo of striker Collins Mbesuma of Mpumalanga Black Aces and defender Davies Nkausu of Free State Stars joined the local players who have been in camp for a week at Mukuba Hotel.

Three more foreign-based players who included defender Stopilla Sunzu, midfielder Lubambo Musonda and striker Evans Kangwa were expected last evening.

The arrival of the players is a big boost for coach George Lwandamina that includes a lot of travelling.Lwandamina will have reasons to panic on Kalengo of AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville and Mweene from South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns as the two are not expected in until later tonight.

He said four Zesco United players were expected last night from Guinea.

The team had light training in the morning before a full session in the evening at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:00 hours, while Congo Brazzaville are expected in Ndola around 13:00 hours on a chartered plane.

Congo and Zambia are tied on four points but the Chipolopolo have an inferior goal aggregate, while Kenya and Guinea Bissau are also level on a point each. The back-to-back Group E qualification matches of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for 23rd and 27th March in Ndola and Brazzaville respectively.

Lwandamina has listed ten foreign-based players including Davies Nkausu who returns to the squad for the first time since June 2015.

Christopher Katongo and Isaac Chansa, who both returned to the fold with the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) squad, have been named in the squad which is captained by Rainford Kalaba.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Mamelodi Sundowns/RSA), Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Racha Kola (Zanaco);

Defenders: Buchizya Mfune (Green Buffaloes), Stephen Kabamba (Green Buffaloes), Adrian Chama (Green Buffaloes), Davies Nkausu (Free State Stars/RSA), Stoppila Sunzu (Lille/FRANCE), Chongo Kabaso (TP Mazembe/DRC);

Midfielders: Jackson Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Benson Sakala (Power Dynamos), Spencer Sautu (Green Eagles), Salulani Phiri (Zanaco), Nathan Sinkala (TP Mazembe/DRC), Lubambo Musonda (Gandzasar Kapan/ARMENIA), Isaac Chansa (Zanaco), Christopher Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazmbe/DRC), Clatous Chota Chama (Zesco United);

Strikers: Collins Mbesuma (Mpumalanga Black Aces/RSA), Evans Kangwa (Hapoel Ra’anana/ISRAEL), Conlyde Luchanga (Lusaka Dynamos), Winston Kalengo (AC Leopards/Congo).

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com