UNDER-20 national team coach Hector Chilombo has urged Red Arrows to release striker Patrick Ngoma and three others to enable them undergo medicals ahead of the 2015 Senegal Africa Youth Championship.
Ngoma, midfielder George Mandu and defenders Peter Mulenga and Bernard Chepeshi are with Arrows in Tanzania for a 10-day pre-season training camp.
“We are negotiating with Arrows for the release of the four players so that they can undergo medicals with their colleagues. So far so good. It looks positive,” said Chilombo in Lusaka yesterday.
The two-week tournament kicks off on March 8.
Skipper Lubambo Musonda of Armenian side Ulisses is expected to join camp this weekend alongside Israel-based midfielder Saith Sakala.
And Chilombo praised his players’ impressive performance in yesterday’s 3-1 win over Super Division Napsa Stars.
The junior Chipolopolo were on target through Dave Daka, Larry Bwalya and Spencer Sautu while Elson Mkandawire netted for Napsa.
“I am very impressed with the response from the players. They have shown their character and our hope is that they continue with the same spirit.
This was a training game but they have performed to expectation,” Chilombo said.
Zambia are in Group B with Ghana, Mali and South Africa. Group A has Congo Brazzaville, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and hosts Senegal.
The semi-finalists will represent the continent at the World Youth Championship in New Zealand in May this year.