Zambia’s flag bearers in the CAF Champions League have named a 34-man delegation for their trip to Rwanda where they are scheduled to face APR FC in return leg of the championship.
According to statement released by the club, Zanaco have retained the squad that did first leg duty that resulted to a barren draw. The traveling party will consist of eighteen players, sixteen officials.
Zanaco will depart on Thursday aboard a RwandAir flight ahead of Sunday’s match that will be staged at Nkoloma Stadium. Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba has remained upbeat saying his side had a 50-50 chance of progressing to the next round.
“I think we accounted ourselves very well against a good team which, like I had said early in the week, feeds the senior national team of Rwanda. We were tactically disciplined though in the first half we were jittery when they had one man up front and we had four in defence; we should have pushed forward but we resorted to shooting long balls.
“Our chances are 50-50 and I think we have an upper hand if you consider that this was a barren draw, which is good enough if we get a scoring draw in Kigali. A scoring draw will be good to take us to the next round. All we need is to work hard and plan well so that we get a good result,” said Numba.
Host’s APR FC will have to register a win to boost their chances of progressing to the first round of the CAF Champions League.
The winner will in the first round in March face victor of the other preliminary round tie involving Young Africans of Tanzania and Comoros champions Ngaya.
Zanaco FC squad:
Players: Rachar Kola, Ziyo Tembo, George Chilufya, Lee Ngoma, Richard Kasonde, Mangani Banda, Fashon Junior Sakala, Faith Sakala, Augustin Mulenga,Taonga Bwembya, Attram Kwame, Chongo Chirwa, Keneddy Musonda, Peter Jacob Banda, Andrew Kwiliko, Boyd Siame Musonda, Ernest Mbewe and Toaster Nsabata.
Officials: Mumamba Numba, David Chilufya, Robin Shamala Munsaka, Kalumba Mpunga, Emmanuel Phiri, Mathews Kabundi,Stafford Chewe Kayame, Nchoba Choonga, Isaac Trywell Manda, Edwin Paul Mulenga, Edward Mutale,Sydney Silavwe Sichula,Jordan Maliti, Allan Matiya, Samuel Phiri and Hastings Mtine.
