Teen Star Eyes First Team Place In Chipolopolo

STRIKER Conlyde Luchanga says scoring in Saturday’s 2016 Rwanda African Nations Championship (CHAN) last round first leg against Mozambique has given him impetus to challenge for a place in the senior national team.
Luchanga, 17, said in Lusaka yesterday that he is ready to challenge for a Chipolopolo position.
Striker Winston Kalengo, Luchanga and midfielder Spencer Sautu contributed a goal apiece in the 3-0 bashing of Mozambique at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The Lusaka Dynamos player, who came off from the bench to score on his debut, is targeting scoring more goals for the Chipolopolo.
“For me scoring on my first day with the national team is a dream come true. The nation should expect more from me,” Luchanga said.
He said the presence of President Lungu in the stands motivated him to work hard.
“It [the presence of President Lungu] was motivating. We worked hard as a team,” he said.
Goalkeeper Jacob Banda says the team is focused on qualifying for the finals in Rwanda.
Banda said the match was tough.
“It was a tough game. They [Mozambique] put up a spirited fight so it is not over. We expect the return leg in Maputo to be difficult,” he said.
Banda, who wore the captain’s armband in Saturday’s match, said the team would continue working hard to realise the target.
Meanwhile, national team coach George Lwandamina has praised the team’s resilience, MULWANDA LUPIYA reports.
In a post-match interview, Lwandamina said the Chipolopolo must work hard in the return leg to progress to next year’s finals.
“The boys showed character to win. We still have to play them in the second leg and we need to remain focused. They are a good side,” he said.
Zambia last qualified for CHAN finals in 2009 under Frenchman Herve Renard.

Posted by Editor on October 19, 2015. Filed under SPORTS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry