Zambia coming with respect

LUSAKA. ― It appears Chipolopolo are coming into their CHAN qualifier against the Warriors with a little bit of respect for their Zimbabwean opponents.
Striker Festus Mbewe says he expects a very tough encounter.“We know Zimbabwe is a strong team, they showed character when we played them (in the Cosafa final).
“They are a good team. We need to go there geared with a strong character.
“Playing away in the first leg is a favour to us because we have a chance to redeem ourselves in the return leg if we draw.
“But our aim to go for a victory,” Mbewe said.
Zambia plays Zimbabwe this weekend in the final CHAN qualifier at Rufaro with the return leg set for in a fortnight’s time at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Winner over both legs will qualify to next year’s CHAN competition in South Africa.
Herve Renard’s 20 players got back to work on Tuesday morning with new calls ups Power Dynamos’ Lubambo Musonda and Zanaco winger Roderick Kabwe turning up for training at Independence Stadium.
The Frenchman let off the players that played 90 minutes against Botswana have light training.
Jimmy Chisenga, Fackson Kapumbu, Bronson Chama, Christopher Munthali, Kondwani Mtonga, Bruce Msakanya, Bonwell Mwape and Mbewe had a light work while goalkeepers Joshua Titima and Danny Munyau were being drilled by Patrice Beaumelle and goalkeeper coach Davies Phiri.
The welcomed back Alex Ng’onga while Musonda and Kabwe may be seen as part of a plan to fit in the shoes of the injured Mukuka Mulenga.
Team Doctor Joseph Kabungo said the    midfielder would miss the game against Zimbabwe.
Mukuka sustained an ankle injury during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Botswana at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
“He has a tear in one of the ligaments of his ankle.
“That in itself entails that he is out for the next two to three weeks,” Kabungo said.
“Because of that we have put a small cast just to stabilise it.
“It is not for a fracture but to lessen the pain.
“We will remove the cast in the next five to seven days.”
Mukuka, who is embroiled in a transfer wrangle with his club, after his highly-anticipated move to Mamelodi Sundowns stalled following the emergence of ‘new forces’ around the player wanting to send him elsewhere.
Kabungo said Mukuka would be on observation.
“We will assess how he progress, it depends on how he is going to do,” he said.
The 22-year-old was named Player of the Tournament at the just-ended Cosafa tournament won by Zambia. ― Times of Zambia/Post/BolaZambia.