- Stay Connected
Socialize
Simukonda Summons Daka, 2 Others
UNDER-23 national team coach Fighton Simukonda has drafted Nchanga Rangers striker Patson Daka and two others into the squad that will face Botswana in the CAF Under-23 Championship second round first leg on May 23.
And Zanaco striker Dave Daka has been ruled out of the clash against Botswana due to injury.
Simukonda has also summoned midfielders Ben Katema of Kabwe Warriors and Mufulira Wanderers’ Lameck Chirwa.
Daka, who is under-17 national team skipper, is also part of the Chipolopolo squad that is preparing for the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Senior Challenge Cup billed for South Africa.
Botswana drew 4-4 on aggregate with Kenya but advanced to the second round on the away goal rule. The Tswanas won 3-0 at home but lost 4-1 in Nairobi.
Simukonda said in Lusaka yesterday that Botswana will not be underrated.
“There are no small teams in football. All teams are the same, so we will not take them [Botswana] lightly,” he said.
And Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Kalusha Bwalya said underrating Botswana could be disastrous.
“I believe the technical bench and the players know the importance of the game. Now that we know our opponents, the team should focus on qualifying for the Olympic play-off in Senegal.
“It will be tough. Botswana beat Kenya in Gaborone [3-0]. That shows it’s a strong team which should not be underrated. But I know Fighton [Simukonda] has a strong team that will do the country proud,” Kalusha said.
He said there is need for the junior Chipolopolo to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Zambia’s last appearance in the soccer competition at the Olympic Games was at the 1988 Seoul tournament, where Kalusha led the team to the quarter-finals.
Zambia drew 2-2 with Iraq, thumped Italy and Guatemala 4-0 apiece before losing 0-4 to West Germany in the quarter-finals.
Posted by
New Educated Zambia©
May 13, 2015 at 9:10 am
By the lack of comments on local football news one can tell that the pf has failed to manage and improve sport in the country. People have lost interest and would rather watch the best team in the world Chelsea play. And i didn’t say that because am a Chelsea fan. Kiki. Vote upnd
ftj
May 13, 2015 at 10:05 am
what is wrong with this chap?
poly
May 13, 2015 at 10:10 am
There is nothing wrong about him, only that he is still experiencing severe after-shocks from the defeat suffered by UPND on April 14, 2015.
xeyesphobia
May 13, 2015 at 1:14 pm
The P.F is a bunch of thieves and opportunists though Sata’s manhood still lives on.