Archive for December, 2009

PORTUGUESE side Sporting Braga have recalled Zambia midfielder Rainford Kalaba from Uniao Desportiva Leiria where he is on loan. Braga want Kalaba back because they expect Manchester United to recall Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Possebon. Possebon is on loan at Braga together with his compatriot Hugo Viana from Spanish side Valencia. According to Portuguese sports daily A Bola, Braga coach Domingos Paciencia said in the event of Possebon going back to United, he will be short of cover in midfield. Paciencia said since Kalaba has experience of European football, he will be a perfect cover for Possebon. Braga expects Kalaba to join them after the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. He is also anticipating Valencia to recall midfielder Viana, who has helped Braga to make an impressive start to the season. Full story

Strikers Signs Chibambo and Danny Hangunyu have failed to join the Chipolopolo Boy's training base in Johannesburg, South Africa, And the Football Association of Zambia, FAZ is trying to secure a friendly game with a West African opposition as a replacement for the January 3rd match with Malawi who have opted to play Togo. French-born trainer Herve Renard has already named his squad and the duo have already ruled themselves out of the 23-man squad and third name expected not to be on the plane to Angola is 'believed' to be Zanaco centre-back Charles Siyingwa. FAZ Communications Officer Erick Mwanza confirmed in an interview with Zambianfootball.net that Hangunyu Chibambo of Primeiro de Agusto of Angola and Heartland FC of Nigeria respectievly are still at large and their 'mobile phones are off." "We have been trying to contact but to no avail. Their phones are off. Danny (Hangunyu) promised us that he was going to join camp in Lusaka (last Saturday when the team regrouped). "We made travel arrangements and paid for tickets for both players," Mwanza said. Full story

Second stanza super substitute Collins Mbesuma's 76 minute strike was all Zambia needed to subdue a stubborn Mozambique 1-0 in an AFCON preparatory friendly played in Johannesburg, South Africa this afternoon. The Moroka Swallows striker, once South Africa's most revered goal merchant on for in form  James Chamanga, grabbed the all important goal to send the Chipolopolo camp into delirium as they continue to shape up in South Africa in readiness for the AFCON in January. Zambia was billed to play their next friendly game against Malawi on January 3 before winding up their preparations with Word Cup qualifiers South Korea on January 9 just 3 days before their opening match on January 12 against Tunisia at the AFCON. However, the tiny Southern African neighbour has opted out and play Emmannuel Adebayor's Togo on the same date. This afternoon, Herve Renard a man who has been associated with tinkering of late, partnered clubless Stophilla Sunzu and Chintu Kampamba at the heart of the Zambia defence and was rewarded with a clean sheet. Full story