Coach Phiri, who was happy with his charges’ display in the 2-1 friendly win over Tunisia on Sunday, said from Tunis yesterday that the games were part of the preparatory process and also a learning experience for Zambia ahead of the MTN African Cup of Nations starting in Ghana in the next 12 days.
Phiri said Tunisia were a good team and that his squad which has almost all the players called up in camp, was learning a lot from their experience.
He said the win over Tunisia had boosted the team’s morale and that the players were looking forward to this evening’s match.
“Tunisia are a good team and we are learning a lot from them. This is still a preparatory process for us and also a learning experience that we are looking at,” he said.
After a morale boosting 2-1 win over the 2004 African champions Tunisia, Zambia today wraps up the tour of North Africa with another clash against the Carthage Eagles at Stade Novembre 7 in Rades.
He appealed to the Zambian fans to continue rallying behind the team as it intensified preparations for the Nations Cup.
However, Phiri, suffered a setback after left back Joseph Musonda, who was red-carded in the Sunday match, sustained a swollen right knee and will be out of action for some days.
Phiri said he was optimistic Musonda would be able to recover before Zambia faces Morocco in the last preparatory match on January 12.
“Joseph was not only sent off yesterday but also got a knock. He sustained a swollen knee on his right leg. Even if they have to waive his red-card, he can’t still play tomorrow because of the injury,” he said.
Phiri, however, said he had depth in his squad as there was quite a good number of talented players in the team.
On defenders Elijah Tana and Davis Nkausu and goalkeeper Mike Poto, joining the team, Phiri said details of their travel itinerary had not been availed to him by the FAZ secretariat.
He said injured Germany-based defender, Moses Sichone, who campaigns in the second tier of the Bundesliga at Kickers Offenbach was still optimistic of joining the squad for the Ghana assignment.
“Actually, Moses wanted to join us before he even fully recovered from the injury. So he is still optimistic about joining us,” Phiri said.
On Turkey-based striker Collins Mbesuma, who joined the squad on Sunday, Phiri said the burly player yesterday had a morning work-out in the gymnasium and he (Phiri) needed to assess him later in the afternoon training session.
As he tries to come up with the starting 11 in the Zambia’s Group C opener against Sudan in the absence of suspended skipper Christopher Katongo and midfielder Isaac Chansa, Phiri would most likely use the same squad that beat Tunisia.
He only used Katongo and Chansa in the second half where they came on for Adubelo Phiri and Ian Bakala, respectively.
Phiri is expected to give Mbesuma a run out in today’s matc
h while Zesco United defender, William Chinyama, is also set to begin on the left side of defence in the absence of Musonda.
Angola-based Felix Katongo( Pictured) who struck a brace in Sunday’s game, Rainford Kalaba and Bakala, who acquainted themselves, look set to make the play in the middle of the park.
Strikers, Jacob Mulenga, Mbesuma and James Chamanga will spearhead Zambia’s attacks while Clive Hachilensa, Chinyama, Kennedy Nketani and Billy Mwanza will anchor the defence, giving shield to goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene.
Switzerland-based striker, Yacine Chikaoui, scorer of Tunisia’s consolation on Sunday, Mehdi Ben Dhifallah, Mohammed Ali Nafkha and Kamel Zaiem are expected to lead the surge and avoid another embarrassing display for French coach Roger Lemerre.
Probable line-ups:Zambia: Mweene, Clive Hachilensa, Chinyama, Kennedy Nketani, Billy Mwanza, Ian Bakala, Rainford Kalaba, Felix Katongo, Jacob Mulenga, Mbesuma, James Chamanga.
Tunisia: Hamdi Kasraoui, Khaled Souissi, Yassine Mikari, Karim Haggui, Wissam Abdi, Chaker Zouaghi, Mohammed Ali Nafkha, Jawhar M’nari, Kamel Zaiem, Yassine Chikhaoui, Fahd Ben Dhifallah.
Times of Zambia
h while Zesco United defender, William Chinyama, is also set to begin on the left side of defence in the absence of Musonda.
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