Renard:Mbesuma is not yet fit

Zambia national soccer team coach Herve Renard has said that clubless striker Collins ‘Ntonfotonfo’ Mbesuma, 25, hasn’t yet regained his fitness after spending a large chunk of the campaign on the sidelines due to a niggling knee injury and out of favour at his former base in Turkey.

Renard acknowledged Mbesuma’s seniority status in the Chipolopolo camp and called him for a one-on-one chat.

“I called him when he arrived here in Ghana. I told him that ‘don’t be offended if I don’t use you in the Togo match’. Collins is not yet fit and I don’t think he can contribute positively in a crucial international match,” the Frenchman told the Times of Zambia in a telephone interview.

With the former Amakhosi striker content with a place on the bench, exciting 17-year old Kabwe Warriors Emmanuel Mayuka looks set to partner skipper, Chris Katongo, 26, upfront ahead of James Chamanga, 28, and red hot, Roger Kola, 18.

2007 CAF Young Player of Year Clifford Mulenga, 21, will slot on the left flank with Portugal bound Rainford Kalaba, 22, on the right. The other option is Power Dynamos’ live wire Kennedy Mudenda. Mudenda has mesmerized home fans with tricky footwork and pace during the CHAN qualifiers and this should be the perfect platform for the 20-year old to show his credentials at international level.

Ghana 2008 Afcon revelation and now based in France, Felix The ‘ginger prince’ Katongo, 24, will be the architect in the engine room alongside Isaac ‘Gattuso’ Chansa, 25, of Swedish side Helsingborg.

Chansa’s position in the middle of the pack will be key.

The back four has already picked itself though its not yet known who will get the nod for the right full back between William Chinyama and Clive Sichiondwe.

The Golden Arrows duo of Billy Mwanza, 25, and Joseph Musonda, 30, are certain of a starting berth alongside Chintu Kampamba, 29,(pictured) to protect goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, 24, from the threat of Emmanuel Adebayor and co.

For the first time, the Chipolopolo have had the best preparation and build up. Zambia drew 2-2 against Libya and lost 3-2 to Iran. For Togo the preparations has been hit by wrangles.

Probable line Up.

K.Mweene, W.Chinyama, B.Mwanza, Chintu.K, J.Musonda, R.Kalaba, F.Katongo, C.Mulenga, E.Mayuka, C.Katongo.

Substitutes:Kalililo Kakonje, C.Sichiondwe, Sanida Zulu, Nyambe Mulenga, K.Mudenda, R.Kola, J.Chamanga