Coach Wedson Nyirenda has unveiled an 18-man squad as selected by football fans across the country for Monday’s friendly against the CHAN bound Zambia national team.
Early this 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.”
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.
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.
The team will enter camp at Golden Zambezi Lodge in Lusaka this afternoon (Saturday).
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).