Kelvin Mubanga exits Zambia friendly tour

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Jun 02, 2021. 22:21

Chipolopolo Zambia have arrived in Dakar a man less after midfielder Kelvin Mubanga withdrew from the trip ahead of their June 5 international friendly against Senegal.

Sources familiar with the development told AF that the Zesco United midfielder did not even get on the flight from Lusaka on Tuesday afternoon.

“Mubanga withdrew from camp over some issues and didn’t even get on the plane in Lusaka,” the source said.

The development has left Zambia down 21 from 22 players for the three- match tour.

It hasn’t been a smooth buildup to the tour after a number of key players based abroad could not make the trip due to either pressing end of season club commitments or injuries including compassionate grounds like Tanzanian-based midfielder Clatous Chama of Simba SC who withdrew following his wifes’ death on May 29.

Also excused is the Austrian-based duo of Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka due to pending summer transfer moves.

Fashion Sakala too is missing after just completing a move from KV Oostende in Belgium to Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers.

In short, only four out of the fourteen foreign-based call-ups have made the tour.

Meanwhile, Chuipolopolo landed in Senegal at around 20h00 CAT on Wednesday evening after a gruelling hop from Addis Ababa to Dakar via Bamako, Mali.

Zambia will transfer to Thies on Thursday ahead of Saturdays friendly there against the Teranga Lions.

Chipolopolo will depart Senegal on June 6 for Cotonou to play Benin on the penultimate stop of their friendly tour.

Sudan will be Zambia’s final stop on June 11.

GOALKEEPERS: Cyril Chibwe (Polokwane City, South Africa), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors), Gregory Sianjase (Young Green Eagles)

DEFENDERS: Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe, DRC), Isaac Shamujompa, Golden Mafwenta (Buildcon), Benedict Chepeshi, Prosper Chiluya (both Red Arrows), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Gaboniso Magenge (Lusaka Dynamos)

MIDFIELDERS: Benson Sakala, Spencer Sautu (both Power Dynamos), Salulani Phiri (Polokwane City, South Africa), Amity Shamende (Green Eagles), Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors)

FORWARDS: Collins Sikombe (Lusaka Dynamos), Moses Phiri, Rogers Kola (both Zanaco) Ntazana Mayembe (Cardiff City, Wales), Brian Mwila (Buildcon)