Striker Collins Mbesuma has finally joined the Chipolopolo Boys after a week-long delay.And coach Patrick Phiri has said defender Elijah Tana is still in his plans for next week’s African Cup of Nations in Ghana.
Chipolopolo Boys team manager Solly Pandor confirmed Mbesuma’s arrival in a telephone interview from Tunis yesterday.
Pandor said the Turkey-based player was expected to feature in last night’s international friendly against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia. “Mbesuma is here (Tunisia). We finally sorted out this hectic visa process. It is pleasing that we are drawing close to have a full house in camp,” he said. Pandor said Mbesuma was looking forward to joining the rest of the Chipolopolo Boys for last night’s match.
Mbesuma was scheduled to join the team during a 10 day camp in Spain but the process of acquiring a Schengen visa delayed his arrival.
Meanwhile, Phiri said in a telephone interview from Khamsa Hotel in Tunisia that Tana was still part of the Chipolopolo Boys’ plans.Phiri said with three days to go before the January 10 deadline by CAF for submission of the final 23-man list, he still had enough time to make the decision on the inclusion of any player.”I am still waiting to be furnished with the reason why Elijah missed the flight. I will deal with the technical aspect,” he said. “As for Moses (Sichone), we still have time to know if he will be part of the team.”
Phiri said Tana was expected in Tunisia alongside goalkeeper Mike Poto and South Africa-based defender Davis Nkausu.”The final team will give us the picture of who is in the team going to Ghana,” he said.
When contacted, FAZ technical committee chairperson Henschel Chitembeya said the three players – Poto, Tana and Nkausu – are scheduled to leave for Tunisia latest Wednesday.
albos1946 on Mon, 7th Jan 2008 2:39 AM
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